What finding during a lumbar puncture indicates bacterial meningitis?

Prepare for the ATI Nursing Care of Children Exam. Utilize flashcards and multiple-choice questions, each with hints and explanations. Equip yourself for success!

The presence of cloudy cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) with increased white blood cell (WBC) count is a significant finding that suggests bacterial meningitis. In bacterial meningitis, the infection typically causes an inflammatory response, leading to an increase in leukocytes, particularly neutrophils, in the CSF. This increase in WBCs can lead to the cloudiness observed in the fluid.

Additionally, in bacterial meningitis, the glucose levels in the CSF are often decreased due to the consumption of glucose by bacteria and the inflammatory processes involved. This contrasts with viral meningitis, where glucose levels usually remain normal and the lymphocytic response is predominant instead of a neutrophilic one.

The other findings provided in the options do not align with the typical characteristics of bacterial meningitis. For example, clear cerebrospinal fluid would suggest a lower likelihood of infection or might indicate viral rather than bacterial etiology. Normal glucose levels in cloudy CSF also do not correlate with bacterial infections, since they would typically be lower in such cases. Therefore, the combination of cloudy CSF and increased WBC count serves as a strong indicator for bacterial meningitis, making it the correct answer.

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