Three tubes of CSF are submitted to the laboratory.They are numbered 1,2,and 3 and show blood in all tubes but decreasing in amount as one inspects tubes 1 through 3.This observation should be interpreted as:

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The decreasing amount of blood in tubes 1 through 3 indicates a traumatic or bloody tap, which means that the presence of blood is likely due to the procedure and not a pathologic condition. Therefore, no pathogenic significance should be attached to it. Choice A can be ruled out because the tubes are not numbered incorrectly, and choice C and D are incorrect because the presence of blood does not necessarily indicate a pathologic condition, especially in the case of a traumatic tap.

Three Tubes of CSF Are Submitted to the Laboratory