A nurse is caring for a child who has a suspected diagnosis of bacterial meningitis. Which of the following actions is the nurse's priority?

Maintain seizure precautions: While seizures can occur as a complication of bacterial meningitis, maintaining seizure precautions is not the nurse's priority at this stage. Prompt administration of antibiotics to address the underlying infection takes precedence over seizure precautions. Document intake and output: Documenting intake and output is an important nursing responsibility, but it is not the priority when a child is suspected of having bacterial meningitis. The immediate priority is to initiate antibiotic therapy to treat the infection and prevent further complications. Administer antibiotics when available: Administering antibiotics is the priority in the care of a child with suspected bacterial meningitis. Antibiotics are crucial for treating the infection and preventing its progression to reduce the risk of serious complications such as brain damage or death. Reduce environmental stimuli: While reducing environmental stimuli can help manage symptoms and discomfort in a child with bacterial meningitis, it is not the priority at this time. Initiating antibiotic therapy is essential to address the underlying infection, which takes precedence over environmental stimuli reduction.