In cases of suspected bacterial meningitis, what is the priority intervention?

In cases of suspected bacterial meningitis, the priority intervention is to initiate intravenous (IV) antibiotics. The reason for this is that bacterial meningitis can rapidly progress and lead to severe complications or death if not treated promptly. Administering antibiotics as soon as possible is critical because they help to control the infection and reduce the risk of serious outcomes such as neurological damage or systemic sepsis.

Time is a crucial factor in treating bacterial meningitis, and studies have shown that early administration of antibiotics significantly improves patient outcomes. While obtaining a CT scan can be necessary to rule out any contraindications before a lumbar puncture, it should not delay the initiation of antibiotic therapy, as doing so could allow the infection to worsen. Similarly, antipyretics may be used for symptom management but do not address the underlying infection, and checking for a rash, while potentially useful in determining the presence of conditions like meningococcal disease, should not take priority over starting treatment for a confirmed or suspected serious infection like bacterial meningitis.