A patient is having 20 mL of cerebral spinal fluid removed via a lumbar puncture. What intervention is important after the procedure?
Have the patient lie flat for 6 hours.
Have the patient lie in a semi-Fowler’s position with the head of the bed at 35 degrees.
Early ambulation.
Have the patient lie flat for 1 hour, then sit up for 1 hour before ambulating.
The Correct Answer is A
Choice A rationale
After a lumbar puncture, it is important for the patient to lie flat for approximately 6 hours. This position helps to prevent headaches that can occur after the procedure, which are caused by leakage of cerebrospinal fluid at the needle puncture site. Lying flat allows the puncture site to seal and prevents the leakage of cerebrospinal fluid.
Choice B rationale
Having the patient lie in a semi-Fowler’s position with the head of the bed at 35 degrees is not typically recommended immediately after a lumbar puncture. This position could potentially increase the risk of a post-lumbar puncture headache.
Choice C rationale
Early ambulation is not recommended after a lumbar puncture. Moving around too soon after the procedure can increase the risk of a headache and may also increase the risk of complications at the puncture site.
Choice D rationale
Having the patient lie flat for 1 hour, then sit up for 1 hour before ambulating is not a typical recommendation after a lumbar puncture. The standard recommendation is to have the patient lie flat for approximately 6 hours to reduce the risk of complications.
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Related Questions
Correct Answer is B
Explanation
Choice A rationale
While prothrombin level is an important test in evaluating blood clotting disorders, it is not typically used in the initial diagnostic evaluations for a cerebrovascular accident (CVA) or stroke.
Choice B rationale
Brain CT or MRI scans are commonly used in the initial diagnostic evaluations for a CVA. These imaging tests can show bleeding in the brain, an ischemic stroke, a tumor, or other conditions.
Choice C rationale
A chest x-ray is not typically used in the initial diagnostic evaluations for a CVA. It is more commonly used to diagnose conditions affecting the lungs and heart.
Choice D rationale
A lumbar puncture, or spinal tap, may be used in some cases to help diagnose a CVA, but it is not typically part of the initial diagnostic evaluations.
Correct Answer is A
Explanation
Choice A rationale
Herpes simplex virus encephalitis is a severe condition that requires immediate treatment. The most common medication used for this condition is acyclovir, which is administered intravenously. Acyclovir works by inhibiting the replication of the virus, thereby reducing the severity and duration of the infection.
Choice B rationale
Cyclosporine is an immunosuppressive medication that is often used to prevent organ rejection after transplantation. It is not typically used in the treatment of viral infections such as herpes simplex virus encephalitis.
Choice C rationale
Without specific information about “Medication C”, it’s difficult to provide a rationale.
However, it’s important to note that the treatment of herpes simplex virus encephalitis typically involves antiviral medications, with acyclovir being the most commonly used.
Choice D rationale
Similar to Choice C, without specific information about “Medication D”, providing a rationale is challenging. As mentioned, the standard treatment for herpes simplex virus encephalitis is acyclovir.
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