Which signs indicate meningeal irritation in a client presenting with headache, confusion, and stiff neck?

Meningeal irritation is commonly assessed through specific neurological signs, particularly important in the context of conditions like meningitis. One of the hallmark indicators of meningeal irritation is Brudzinski's sign, which involves involuntary lifting of the legs when the neck is flexed, suggesting irritation of the membranes covering the brain and spinal cord. This sign specifically assesses the response of the body to the irritation in the meninges, which aligns directly with the symptoms of headache, confusion, and stiff neck that the client is experiencing.

Nuchal rigidity, while also indicative of meningeal irritation, is not the most specific or classic sign like Brudzinski's sign. This rigidity refers to the stiffness of the neck but does not showcase the reflexive nature of the body’s response as clearly as Brudzinski's sign does. The low cerebrospinal fluid pressure and cerebral edema do not directly correlate with the physical signs of meningeal irritation and indicate different neurological concerns rather than symptoms exhibited by the client.

Hence, identifying Brudzinski's sign as a key indicator of meningeal irritation helps to focus on a significant clinical examination tool in the nursing assessment of neurological conditions.