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Bacterial meningitis — SCE Neurology MCQ

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HardCNS infectionsBacterial meningitisSCE Neurology

A 22-year-old with PCR-confirmed Neisseria meningitidis meningitis has received ceftriaxone and is afebrile, neurologically normal and systemically recovered on day 5. Cultures show no resistant organism. What should happen to the meningitis antibiotic course?

Educational content. Not a substitute for clinical judgement or local policy.

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Correct answer: C — Stop ceftriaxone after the fifth day

Explanation lettering: C = shown as A · A = shown as B · B = shown as C · E = shown as D · D = shown as E

A unnecessarily doubles the current NICE course. B is correct: after 5 days, ceftriaxone is stopped if a person with meningococcal meningitis has recovered; persistent illness prompts specialist advice. C confuses treatment with chemoprophylaxis. D adds a prophylactic drug to treatment without indication. E uses a duration intended for selected other organisms, not recovered meningococcal disease.

Reference: NICE NG240: bacterial meningitis and meningococcal disease: https://www.nice.org.uk/guidance/ng240/chapter/Recommendations