The plan for a school-age child with bacterial meningitis should include which of the following?

• A. Keeping environmental stimuli at a minimum
• B. Avoiding giving pain medications that could dull sensorium
• C. Measuring head circumference to assess developing complications
• D. Having child move head side to side at least every 2 hours

Answer: (A)

Minimizing environmental stimuli helps control cerebral metabolic demand and agitation in bacterial meningitis. A quiet, dim environment with limited stimulation reduces stress on the brain, which is especially important when there is meningeal irritation and increased intracranial pressure. This supports recovery alongside antibiotics and supportive care.

Head circumference measurement is mainly used in infants to track brain growth and detect hydrocephalus; in school-age children it isn’t a routine part of meningitis management. Encouraging head movement on a fixed schedule would likely increase discomfort and brain irritability, so it isn’t appropriate. Pain management is important—adequate analgesia and antipyretics help keep the child comfortable and calm, rather than withholding medications that dull sensorium.