What are the nursing measures for meningococcal meningitis

Parents with young children at home must be curious about how to care for children suffering from epidemic encephalitis. As the saying goes, the pain is felt by the child, and the mother is heartbroken. When children fall ill, especially with a dangerous disease like epidemic encephalitis, parents will definitely be anxious. Let’s take a look at the care measures for meningococcal meningitis.

1. Care for fever: Monitor body temperature, observe fever pattern and associated symptoms. Change clothes promptly after sweating. When the body temperature is >38.5oC, physical cooling or drug cooling and intravenous fluid replacement should be given.

2. Nursing for mental disorders introduces an environment to the child to reduce his or her restlessness and anxiety. Identify stimuli in the environment that may cause the child to fidget and, if possible, remove the child from the source of the stimulus. Correct the child's misconceptions and disorientation. If the child has hallucinations. Ask about the content of the hallucination so that appropriate action can be taken. Provide protective care and careful daily care for children.

3. For nursing care of comatose children, place them in a supine position with one side of their back slightly elevated and their head tilted to one side to allow secretions to drain out. The upper body can be elevated 20 to 300 degrees to facilitate venous return, reduce cerebral venous sinus pressure, and help reduce intracranial pressure. Turn them over every 2 hours, pat their backs gently to promote phlegm discharge and reduce aspiration pneumonia; movements should be gentle. Closely observe pupils and breathing to prevent brain herniation and respiratory arrest due to movement of body position. Keep the airway open and give oxygen. If there is sputum blockage, immediately intubate and suction the sputum. Perform tracheotomy or use an artificial ventilator if necessary. Children who are in a coma or have difficulty swallowing should be given nasogastric feeding as soon as possible to ensure the supply of calories; oral care should be done; and they should remain calm, because any restlessness can aggravate cerebral hypoxia and sedatives may be used.

4. Nursing for paralysis: Provide good psychological care to enhance the child's self-care ability and confidence. While in bed, assist the child with washing, eating, urination, defecation and personal hygiene, etc. Help parents learn how to help their children turn over and take care of their skin. Appropriate use of air rings, air cushions, etc. to prevent bedsores. Maintain the paralyzed limb in a functional position. After the condition stabilizes, encourage the child to perform passive or active functional exercises of the limbs as soon as possible. Activities should be carried out step by step, and protective measures should be strengthened to prevent injuries. Provide guidance, assistance, and positive encouragement every time you change your exercise routine.

From the above we know a lot about the care measures for meningococcal meningitis. If children unfortunately suffer from epidemic encephalitis, parents must not be too anxious, but should remain calm, pay attention to the characteristics of their children's symptoms, and seek medical treatment in time. Care for your children to grow up healthy and happy.