A 6-year-old boy presents with high fever, neck stiffness and photophobia. You suspect bacterial meningitis. What is the most appropriate immediate ma...

Question

A 6-year-old boy presents with high fever, neck stiffness and photophobia. You suspect bacterial meningitis. What is the most appropriate immediate management step after drawing blood cultures?

Accepted Answer

Start empirical intravenous antibiotics without delay

Answer

Perform lumbar puncture immediately before treatment

Answer

Wait for CT brain before any treatment

Answer

Give oral antibiotics and review in 24 hours

Answer

Observe without antibiotics until CSF results are available

au-amc MCQ (SBA): Bacterial meningitis

A 6-year-old boy presents with high fever, neck stiffness and photophobia. You suspect bacterial meningitis. What is the most appropriate immediate management step after drawing blood cultures?