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Lumbar Puncture

A lumbar puncture, also known as a spinal tap, is a procedure where a needle is inserted between two lumbar vertebrae in the lower back to obtain cerebrospinal fluid for diagnostic or therapeutic purposes. It can be used to collect CSF for analysis, measure CSF pressure, inject medications, dye or radioactive substances. Nurses are responsible for assessing the patient's history and understanding of the procedure, ensuring informed consent is obtained, positioning the patient correctly, maintaining sterile technique during the procedure, and instructing the patient to rest in a supine position afterwards to prevent complications.

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Vanessa Joy Contreras
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440 views7 pages

Lumbar Puncture

A lumbar puncture, also known as a spinal tap, is a procedure where a needle is inserted between two lumbar vertebrae in the lower back to obtain cerebrospinal fluid for diagnostic or therapeutic purposes. It can be used to collect CSF for analysis, measure CSF pressure, inject medications, dye or radioactive substances. Nurses are responsible for assessing the patient's history and understanding of the procedure, ensuring informed consent is obtained, positioning the patient correctly, maintaining sterile technique during the procedure, and instructing the patient to rest in a supine position afterwards to prevent complications.

Uploaded by

Vanessa Joy Contreras
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
Available Formats
Download as PPTX, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
Download as pptx, pdf, or txt
Download as pptx, pdf, or txt
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LUMBAR PUNCTURE

Lumbar puncture
Definition:
Also known as spinal tap
It is a procedure done to obtain
information about the cerebrospinal fluid
(CSF).
It is usually used for diagnostic
purposes (menigitis, subarachnoid
hemorrhage, Guillain-Barre syndrome,
etc.) and sometimes for therapeutic
purposes (anesthesia, chemeotherapy).

The needle is inserted between


2 lumbar vertebrae at the lower
back.

Indications:
Collect CSF for lab analysis
Measure pressure of CSF
Inject anesthetics, chemo
drugs and other meds
Inject dye (myelography)
or radioactive substances
(cisternography) into CSF
To diagnose certain
diseases

Contraindications:
Presence of infected skin over needle
entry site
Post-lumbar puncture headache
Back discomfort or pain
Bleeding (at pucture site or at epidural
space)
Brainstem herniation, Inc. ICP (brain
tumor/abscess)

NURSING RESPONSIBILITIES
Assess patients previous
(BEFORE)
history of spinal tap for

Assess patients
understanding about the
procedure as explained by
the doctor.
Provide information as
needed. Explain the
benefits, risks,
complications and
alternative options.
Confirm informed consent.

occurrence of dizziness.
Check if there are any
concomitant procedures that
cannot be delayed.
Ensure that the patient is
hydrated.
Determine what needle gauge
is needed.
Position patient (sitting or
lying).

NURSING RESPONSIBILITIES
(DURING)
Observe and maintain sterile
technique

NURSING RESPONSIBILITIES
(AFTER)
Assist the patient to rest
Assist/Instruct patient to maintain in
supine position to prevent CSF leak.
Provide pain medications as needed

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