The nurse prepares to assist the health care provider with a lumbar puncture on a child with suspected meningitis. Place the procedural steps in the correct order. All options must be used.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

11ecbb05_cb7b_2ad2_b433_477352af3a5b_MD0009_00 A lumbar puncture (spinal tap) is a sterile procedure used to gather a specimen of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) for diagnostic purposes (eg, meningitis). A needle is inserted into the vertebral spaces between L3 and L4 or L4 and L5, and a sample of CSF is drawn. The nurse's role when assisting with a lumbar puncture includes the following: Verify informed consent Gather the lumbar puncture tray and needed supplies Explain the procedure to older child and adult Have client empty the bladder Place client in the appropriate position (eg, side-lying with knees drawn up and head flexed or sitting up and bent forward over a bedside table) Assist the client in maintaining the proper position (hold the client if necessary) Provide a distraction and reassure the client throughout the procedure Label specimen containers as they are collected Apply a bandage to the insertion site Deliver specimens to the laboratory Educational objective: When assisting with a lumbar puncture, the nurse verifies informed consent, gathers supplies, explains the procedure, has the client void, and then assists the client into position. During the procedure, the nurse provides a distraction, helps the client stay in position (if needed), and labels specimens as they are collected. Afterward, the nurse applies a bandage and ensures that the specimens are delivered to the laboratory.

The Nurse Prepares to Assist the Health Care Provider with a Lumbar