What is the first action a nurse should take when admitting a child with bacterial meningitis?

When a child is admitted with suspected bacterial meningitis, the priority action is to initiate antibiotic therapy. Bacterial meningitis is a serious condition that can lead to rapid deterioration of the child's health due to the potential for widespread infection and neurological complications. Administering antibiotics as soon as possible is critical because prompt treatment has been shown to improve outcomes significantly and reduce the risk of long-term complications or mortality associated with the infection.

While performing a neurological assessment and placing the child in isolation are important steps in the overall management of a child with meningitis, they do not take precedence over starting antibiotic therapy. Analgesics might relieve pain, but addressing the underlying infection with antibiotics is of utmost urgency. The quick initiation of specific treatment can prevent the bacteria from proliferating and causing further harm, making it the most critical first action upon admission.