A nurse is admitting an 8-year-old child to the pediatric unit. The nurse suspects the child has bacterial meningitis. Drag words from the choices below to fill in each blank in the following sentence. The child is at greatest risk for developing dropdownanddropdown.

Rationale for correct choices • Increased intracranial pressure: Bacterial meningitis can cause inflammation of the meninges and cerebral edema, leading to increased intracranial pressure (ICP). The child’s symptoms—headache, nausea, nuchal rigidity, irritability, and lethargy—are indicative of meningeal irritation and potential early ICP. Monitoring for ICP is critical to prevent complications such as brain herniation and neurologic deterioration. • Seizures: Inflammation and increased pressure in the central nervous system can precipitate seizures in children with bacterial meningitis. Elevated WBC count indicates active infection, which can disrupt normal neuronal function. Early identification and management of seizures are essential to minimize neurological damage and ensure patient safety. Rationale for incorrect choices • Hydrocephalus: Hydrocephalus may develop as a late complication of bacterial meningitis due to impaired cerebrospinal fluid absorption, but it is not the most immediate risk. The current presentation focuses on acute neurological compromise rather than chronic fluid accumulation. • Disseminated intravascular coagulation: While DIC can occur with severe sepsis, there is no current evidence of coagulopathy, abnormal bleeding, or thrombocytopenia in this child. The immediate concern is neurological rather than hematologic complications. • Hypothermia: The child is febrile (38.7° C / 101.7° F), making hypothermia unlikely. Fever is a hallmark of bacterial infection, and hypothermia would be inconsistent with the current presentation.