Which sign is NOT associated with meningitis?

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Multiple Choice

Which sign is NOT associated with meningitis?

When assessing suspected meningitis, you look for signs of meningeal irritation. Nuchal rigidity, Brudzinski sign, and Kernig sign all indicate irritation of the meninges and are classical bedside clues. Nuchal rigidity is simply neck stiffness due to inflammation. Brudzinski sign occurs when neck flexion leads to involuntary flexion of the hips and knees. Kernig sign appears as pain or resistance when you attempt to straighten the leg after flexing the hip and knee. Tinel sign, on the other hand, is a test for nerve irritation or entrapment (like in carpal tunnel syndrome) where tapping over a nerve produces tingling in its distribution. It does not reflect meningeal irritation and is not used to diagnose meningitis. Therefore, the sign not associated with meningitis is the Tinel sign.

When assessing suspected meningitis, you look for signs of meningeal irritation. Nuchal rigidity, Brudzinski sign, and Kernig sign all indicate irritation of the meninges and are classical bedside clues. Nuchal rigidity is simply neck stiffness due to inflammation. Brudzinski sign occurs when neck flexion leads to involuntary flexion of the hips and knees. Kernig sign appears as pain or resistance when you attempt to straighten the leg after flexing the hip and knee.

Tinel sign, on the other hand, is a test for nerve irritation or entrapment (like in carpal tunnel syndrome) where tapping over a nerve produces tingling in its distribution. It does not reflect meningeal irritation and is not used to diagnose meningitis. Therefore, the sign not associated with meningitis is the Tinel sign.

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