Three days before a nurse developed meningococcemia, she assisted with intubatio

Question

Three days before a nurse developed meningococcemia, she assisted with intubation of a patient with a Neisseria meningitides infection. Of the 24 medical personnel involved, only this nurse became ill. The nurse recalled that she was exposed to nasopharyngeal secretions and did not receive antibiotic prophylaxis. What two mistakes did the nurse make? How is meningitis transmitted?

I'm stuyding Microbiology class, and the answer should relate to this book "Microbiology an Introduction; Tortora, Funke, Case; 11th Edition, 2012 Benjamin/Cummings Publishing Co., Menlo Park, CA" and the answer shouldn't be too long.

Explanation / Answer

Exposure is defined as healthcare workers "with direct contact with respiratory secretions from infected persons without the use of proper precautions (e.g., mouth-to-mouth resuscitation, endotracheal intubation, endotracheal tube management, or close examination of the oropharynx)."

Additionally, "individuals with at least four hours of close contact with an index patient during the week before onset of illness are at an increased risk of infection. Individuals at risk include housemates, daycare contacts, cellmates, or individuals exposed to infected nasopharyngeal secretions (e.g., through kissing, mouth-to-mouth resuscitation, intubation, suctioning)."

"Human-to-human transmission of Neisseria meningitidis infection due to meningococcal pneumonia, while reported, appears to be rare." Prophylaxis is not indicated for a brief exposure unless there is direct exposure to respiratory secretions. Routine culturing to identify carriers is not recommended.

Antimicrobial chemoprophylaxis with rifampin treatment for two days, single-dose intramuscular ceftriaxone, or single-dose oral ciprofloxacin or azithromycin can reduce nasopharyngeal colonization by 90% to 95%.

Ciprofloxacin use is contraindicated in children. Rifampin and ciprofloxacin are not recommended during pregnancy.

Chemoprophylaxis should be offered as soon as possible but is considered to be of little value beyond 14 days.

Two meningococcal vaccines, Menomune and Menactra, are effective in preventing meningitis and bacteremia, although they cannot protect against all types of meningococcal disease.

Both vaccines may offer some protection against meningococcal pneumonia caused by serotypes A, C, Y, and W-135.

Menactra is the preferred vaccine due to its ability to offer longer protection. Both vaccines offer protection against some, but not all the serotypes associated with infection. Several clinical studies have found serogroup Y frequently being associated with meningococcal pneumonia.

Nurse didnt took antibiotics at appropriate time and also not been vaccinated

Related Questions

Navigate

• Browse (All)
• Browse T
• Subjects

Integrity-first tutoring: explanations and feedback only — we do not complete graded work. Learn more.