Nurse Case Study
PART ONE: Compare and contrast: migraine headaches, tension headaches, and meningitis.
-risk factors, pathophysiology, clinical manifestations
PART TWO: Present a hypothetical case about meningitis that includes the following:
1. Vital information about a person who might be predisposed to this condition (I.e., a person who
may have risk factors for this condition).
2. The pathophysiology of the disease, including clinical manifestations.
3. Which diagnostic tests you’d recommend and a rationale for the one(s) you choose.
4. How this condition compares to other differentials.
5. The evidence-based recommendations from the AHRQ Guidelines or guidelines recommended
from a professional organization. Based on these recommendations, discuss how to manage the
condition best.
6. A patient safety issue that could be associated with the condition presented in this case.
PART THREE: Answer these reflection questions:
What information would a master’s prepared nurse gather from a patient with this condition?
How could the master’s prepared nurse use this information to design a patient education session for someone with this condition?
Sample Solution
Migraine Headaches, Tension Headaches, and Meningitis: A Comparison and Contrast
| Characteristic | Migraine Headaches | Tension Headaches | Meningitis |
|---|---|---|---|
| Risk factors | Family history, stress, hormonal changes, certain foods and drinks, lack of sleep | Stress, muscle tension, anxiety, depression, poor posture | Head trauma, recent illness, contact with an infected person, weakened immune system |
| Pathophysiology | Not fully understood, but thought to be caused by a combination of genetic and environmental factors. Believed to involve changes in brain chemicals and blood flow | Caused by muscle tension in the head and neck | Caused by inflammation of the meninges, the membranes that surround the brain and spinal cord |
| Clinical manifestations | Severe, throbbing headache, often on one side of the head; nausea and vomiting; sensitivity to light and sound; visual disturbances; dizziness | Dull, aching headache, often on both sides of the head; tightness or pressure in the head and neck; muscle tension in the shoulders | Fever, headache, stiff neck, nausea and vomiting, sensitivity to light, rash |
Full Answer Section
Hypothetical Case of Meningitis Vital Information A 20-year-old male college student presents to the emergency department with a fever, headache, stiff neck, and rash. He reports that he has been feeling sick for the past two days and that his symptoms have been getting worse. He also reports that he has been in contact with a friend who was recently diagnosed with meningitis. Pathophysiology Meningitis is caused by inflammation of the meninges, the membranes that surround the brain and spinal cord. The inflammation can be caused by a variety of factors, including bacteria, viruses, fungi, and parasites. In the case of the college student, it is likely that the meningitis is caused by the same bacteria that infected his friend. The bacteria can enter the body through the nose or mouth and travel to the brain and spinal cord through the bloodstream. Once the bacteria reach the meninges, they can cause inflammation, which leads to the symptoms of meningitis. Clinical Manifestations The symptoms of meningitis can vary depending on the severity of the infection. However, some of the most common symptoms include:- Fever
- Headache
- Stiff neck
- Nausea and vomiting
- Sensitivity to light
- Rash
- Getting vaccinated against meningitis-causing bacteria and viruses
- Avoiding close contact with people who are sick
- Washing your hands frequently
- Practicing good hygiene