How should the nurse position a client for a lumbar puncture?
Answer: B - The client should be placed in lateral recumbent position, with the knees drawn up to the abdomen and chin onto the chest, resembling a fetal position. This position opens the spaces between the L3-L4 interspace. Show Lumbar puncture is the introduction of a hollow needle into the subarachnoid space of the lumbar portion of the spinal column to diagnose suspected infection and remove blood or pus. Cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) is completely replaced about three times a day. Although about 500 mL of CSF is formed every day, much of it is reabsorbed into the blood. There are about 120 to 150 mL of CSF in the system at any one time. RATIONALE INDICATIONS CONTRAINDICATIONS COMPLICATIONS PROCEDURE Procedure Labeling Tubes TUBE NOPURPOSE OF TEST1. BiochemistryGlucose, protein2. BacteriologyVarying shades of pink to coral red; Gram stain, culture (bacterial); Indicate whether the following are needed (Fungal culture, TB culture, Viral culture)3. HematologyCell count, differential4. OptionalVDRL,India ink (fungal), Cytology, Myelin basic protein, Oligoclonal bandsTB, tuberculosis; VDRL, Venereal Disease Research Laboratory. Normal Cerebrospinal Fluid TESTNORMAL VALUEINDICATIONOpening pressure50 to 200 mm H2ONo intracranial pressure, No obstructionWBC glucose<5/mm3 50% to 80% of serum glucoseNo infection, No hypoglycemia or hyperglycemiaProtein15 to 45 mg/dLNo hemorrhage, No tumors, Nontraumatic tapColorClear and colorlessNo bacteria, WBCs, or bleedingRBC<20Nontraumatic tapWBC, white blood cell; RBC, red blood cell. Abnormal Cerebrospinal Fluid Values TESTNORMALABNORMALINDICATIONAppearanceClearCloudy, BloodyInfection, Hemorrhage, obstruction, or traumatic tapAppearanceBrown, yellow, orangeElevated protein, RBC hemolysis present for ≥3 daysProtein15 to 45 mg/dLIncreaseTumors, trauma, hemorrhage, diabetes mellitus, polyneuritis, blood in CSFProteinDecreaseRapid CSF productionGamma globulin3% to 12%IncreaseMultiple sclerosis, neurosyphilis, Guillain-Barré syndromeGlucose50% to 80%IncreaseSystemic hyperglycemiaGlucoseDecreaseSystemic hypoglycemia, Bacterial or fungal infection, meningitis, mumpsCell count0 to 5 WBCs, No RBCsIncreaseActive disease, meningitis, tumor, abscess, infarction, multiple sclerosisCell countRBCs presentHemorrhage, traumatic tapVRDLNonreactivePositiveNeurosyphilisChloride118 to 130 mEqDecreaseMeningitis, TBGram stainNegativeGram-positive or -negative organismsBacterial meningitisRBC, red blood cell; CSF, cerebrospinal fluid; WBC, white blood cell; VDRL,Venereal Disease Research Nursing considerations Post Procedure Care BIBLIOGRAPHY CLICK HERE for more resources on Laboratory and Diagnostics Test What position should the nurse position the client after the lumbar puncture?Assist the client to assume a lateral decubitus (fetal) position, near the side of the bed with the neck, hips, and knees drawn up to the chest.
What position is used for a patient when a lumbar puncture is performed?During a lumbar puncture (spinal tap) procedure, you typically lie on your side with your knees drawn up to your chest. Then a needle is inserted into your spinal canal — in your lower back — to collect cerebrospinal fluid for testing. A lumbar puncture (spinal tap) is a test used to diagnose certain health conditions.
What will be the initial position of the patient when doing lumbar tap?The lateral recumbent position is preferred as it will allow an accurate measurement of opening pressure, and it also reduces the risk of post-lumbar puncture headache. The patient should be instructed to assume the fetal position, which involves the flexion of the spine.
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