A patient undergoing lumbar puncture should have the spinal needle introduced between which lumbar interspaces to avoid the conus medullaris in an adult?
Answer and explanation
Correct answer: D. Between L3 and L4 or L4 and L5 interspaces
Answer: Between L3 and L4 or L4 and L5 interspaces.
Why not the others: In adults, the spinal cord terminates as the conus medullaris at the L1-L2 vertebral level. Inserting a needle at L1-L2 or higher risks direct mechanical puncture of the spinal cord and neurological deficit.
Why not the others: In adults, the spinal cord terminates as the conus medullaris at the L1-L2 vertebral level. Inserting a needle at L1-L2 or higher risks direct mechanical puncture of the spinal cord and neurological deficit.
Practise more Emergency Triage, Patient Safety and Clinical Procedures.
Free questions with an explanation for every one, and full timed MOH Prometric mock tests.
More Emergency Triage, Patient Safety and Clinical Procedures questions
- Under the Emergency Severity Index (ESI) five-level triage system, which patient situation warrants an immediate Level 1 categorization?
- According to the Institute for Safe Medication Practices (ISMP), which route of administration is strictly prohibited for Potassium Chloride…
- A patient with a complete T4 spinal cord injury suddenly exhibits a severe pounding headache, diaphoresis above the injury level, profuse fa…
- What is the gold standard method for initial verification of correct placement of a newly inserted small-bore nasogastric (NG) feeding tube…
- According to the Parkland formula, how much Lactated Ringer's solution should be infused over the first 8 hours post-injury for a 70 kg adul…
- According to CDC guidelines, what is the correct sequence for donning (putting on) personal protective equipment (PPE)?