The nurse is caring for a patient undergoing a lumbar puncture by the provider. Select the priority nursing intervention the nurse would complete after the procedure.

Maintain pressure to the puncture site and observe for drainage.

Complete a pain assessment and administer an ordered analgesic, as needed.

Inform the patient they may feel pressure and sharp pain in their lower back for several hours.

Assess pulses distal to the lumbar puncture site every two hours.

Answer and Explanation

The Correct Answer is A

Choice A reason: Maintaining pressure to the puncture site and observing for drainage is the priority nursing intervention for a patient who had a lumbar puncture. It helps to prevent bleeding, hematoma, and cerebrospinal fluid leakage, which can cause complications such as infection, headache, or nerve damage.

Choice B reason: Completing a pain assessment and administering an ordered analgesic, as needed, is an important nursing intervention for a patient who had a lumbar puncture, but it is not the priority. Lumbar puncture can cause mild to moderate pain and discomfort at the puncture site, which can be relieved by analgesics, ice packs, or massage.

Choice C reason: Informing the patient they may feel pressure and sharp pain in their lower back for several hours is an important nursing intervention for a patient who had a lumbar puncture, but it is not the priority. Lumbar puncture can cause transient sensations of pressure and pain in the lower back, which can be reduced by lying flat, avoiding sudden movements, and drinking fluids.

Choice D reason: Assessing pulses distal to the lumbar puncture site every two hours is not an appropriate nursing intervention for a patient who had a lumbar puncture. Lumbar puncture does not affect the blood circulation to the lower extremities, unless there is a complication such as hematoma or nerve compression. Therefore, the nurse should monitor the neurological status, vital signs, and signs of infection or bleeding.

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Correct Answer is D

Explanation

Choice A reason: Assessment of arms and legs movement is an important part of the neurological assessment, but it is not the critical focus of care for a patient with a spinal cord injury at the cervical 5 vertebra. This level of injury affects the phrenic nerve, which controls the diaphragm and breathing. The patient may have difficulty breathing or require mechanical ventilation.

Choice B reason: Evaluation of knee jerk reflex is not the critical focus of care for a patient with a spinal cord injury at the cervical 5 vertebra. The knee jerk reflex is controlled by the spinal cord segments L2-L4, which are below the level of injury. The patient may have normal or exaggerated reflexes, depending on the extent of the spinal cord damage.

Choice C reason: Measurement of vital signs is a routine part of the nursing care, but it is not the critical focus of care for a patient with a spinal cord injury at the cervical 5 vertebra. The patient may have abnormal vital signs due to the injury, such as low blood pressure, slow heart rate, or irregular temperature. However, these are not as life-threatening as respiratory failure.

Choice D reason: Evaluation of respiratory status is the critical focus of care for a patient with a spinal cord injury at the cervical 5 vertebra. The patient is at high risk of respiratory compromise due to the impairment of the phrenic nerve and the diaphragm. The nurse should monitor the patient's oxygen saturation, respiratory rate, depth, and rhythm, and provide oxygen therapy or mechanical ventilation as needed. The nurse should also assess the patient for signs of respiratory infection, such as fever, cough, or sputum.

A. Diplopia B. Fatigue that worsens with heat C. Muscle weakness, spasticity, tremors D. Orthostatic hypotension E. Numbness and tingling

Correct Answer is ["A","B","C","E"]

Explanation

Choice A reason: Diplopia, or double vision, is a symptom of multiple sclerosis that results from damage to the optic nerve or the brainstem. It can affect one or both eyes, and it can cause difficulty with reading, driving, and other activities that require visual coordination.

Choice B reason: Fatigue that worsens with heat is a symptom of multiple sclerosis that occurs due to the impaired transmission of nerve impulses in the central nervous system. Heat can exacerbate this impairment and make the patient feel more tired, weak, and sluggish.

Choice C reason: Muscle weakness, spasticity, tremors are symptoms of multiple sclerosis that result from damage to the motor pathways in the brain and spinal cord. They can affect the patient's mobility, balance, coordination, and speech.

Choice D reason: Orthostatic hypotension, or a sudden drop in blood pressure when standing up, is not a common symptom of multiple sclerosis. It can be caused by other conditions, such as dehydration, anemia, or heart problems.

Choice E reason: Numbness and tingling are symptoms of multiple sclerosis that result from damage to the sensory pathways in the brain and spinal cord. They can affect any part of the body, but they are more common in the limbs, face, and trunk.

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The nurse is caring for a patient undergoing a lumbar puncture by the provider. Select the priority nursing intervention the nurse would complete after the procedure.

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