A patient has been experiencing drowsiness,confusion,and slight focal deficits for several days.The initial noncontract computed tomography (CT)findings are negative.The patient is being prepared for a lumbar puncture.What appearance does the nurse anticipate that the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF)would look?
A) Cloudy
B) Bloody
C) Xanthochromic
D) Clear

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

If the initial computed tomography findings are negative,a lumbar puncture is performed to obtain cerebrospinal fluid (CSF)for analysis.CSF after subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH)appears bloody and has a red blood cell count greater than 1000 cells/mm³.If the lumbar puncture is performed more than 5 days after the SAH,the CSF fluid is xanthochromic (dark amber)because the blood products have broken down.Cloudy CSF usually indicates some type of infectious process such as bacterial meningitis,not SAH.

A Patient Has Been Experiencing Drowsiness,confusion,and Slight Focal Deficits for Several