Your 74-year-old patient requires a lumbar spinal tap to rule out intracranial infection. What spinal level is it safe to perform this procedure?
C7-T1
C1-2
L4-5
L1-2
T12-L1
The Correct Answer is C
A. C7-T1: This is a cervical–thoracic level - performing a lumbar puncture here would risk injury to the spinal cord and is not appropriate.
B. C1-2: Upper cervical region; lumbar puncture is not performed here and would be dangerous.
C. L4-5: In adults the spinal cord typically ends around L1–L2; a lumbar puncture at L4–L5 accesses the subarachnoid space where the cauda equina nerve roots float away from the needle, minimizing risk of cord injury.
D. L1-2: This is near the conus medullaris (end of the spinal cord) in adults and carries a higher risk of cord injury - not the preferred site.
E. T12-L1: Also too high (near cord termination) and not the safe lumbar puncture level.
Nursing Test Bank
Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams
Related Questions
Correct Answer is B
Explanation
A. Macrophages: Macrophages are tissue-resident immune cells and are not normally present free in stool; their presence suggests mucosal inflammation or shedding.
B. Erythrocytes: Red blood cells (erythrocytes) in stool indicate gastrointestinal bleeding and are not a normal finding.
C. Parasites: Parasites in stool indicate infection/infestation and are not normal (they are abnormal/pathologic when present).
D. Blood: Blood in stool signifies GI bleeding and is not normal.
E. Bacteria: Bacteria are a normal and abundant component of feces (normal gut flora).
Correct Answer is E
Explanation
A. Specific defense: Tears are non-specific barriers (contain lysozyme, flush pathogens), so this is incorrect.
B. Third line of defense: The third line is adaptive immunity (B and T cells); tears are not part of that.
C. Second line of defense: The second line is internal innate responses (inflammation, phagocytes); tears are an external barrier, so not second line.
D. inflammatory response: Tears are not the inflammatory response-they act before inflammation as a barrier/chemical defense.
E. First line of defense: Tears are part of the first line (physical and chemical barriers) protecting mucous membranes and the eye.
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