A 19-year-old college student presents with fever, headache, neck stiffness, and photophobia. On exam, she has a petechial rash on her lower extremiti...

Question

A 19-year-old college student presents with fever, headache, neck stiffness, and photophobia. On exam, she has a petechial rash on her lower extremities. What is the most appropriate immediate management?

Accepted Answer

Start empiric IV antibiotics immediately after blood cultures

Answer

Order CT head before any treatment

Answer

Perform lumbar puncture before antibiotics

Answer

Give oral antibiotics and discharge

Answer

Observe for 6 hours to see if symptoms improve

us-abem MCQ (SBA): Acute Bacterial Meningitis

A 19-year-old college student presents with fever, headache, neck stiffness, and photophobia. On exam, she has a petechial rash on her lower extremities. What is the most appropriate immediate management?