Meningitis | Cases

15 year old boy non-specifically unwell for a day. Woke with a widespread purpuric rash and taken straight to hospital.

(click for larger graph)

ED assessment:
Temp 39.0, HR 120, RR 20, BP 90/60.
Alert no meningism; purpuric rash spreading.

Q 1 of 18: Abnormal signs?

Yes <correct

CORRECT : Tachycardia, hypotension in a teenager with fever and purpura.

Further Information

Age	HR/min	RR/min	Systolic BP
<1	110-160	30-40	70-90
1-2	100-150	25-35	80-95
2-5	95-140	25-30	80-100
5-12	80-120	20-25	90-110
Over 12	60-100	15-20	100-120

From Advanced Paediatric Life Support—the Practical Approach. ³⁰