Spinal tap is also known as:

Combined AIIMS - 2020 (Jodhpur, Bhopal, Patna, Raipur)

Medical & Surgical Nursing

Easy

Appeared in: Combined AIIMS - 2020 (Jodhpur, Bhopal, Patna, Raipur)

Explanation

The term 'spinal tap' is the common name for the medical procedure known as a lumbar puncture.
This procedure involves accessing the subarachnoid space in the lumbar region of the spine.
As seen in the image, a needle is inserted into the lower back to withdraw cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) or inject medication.
Both terms refer to the exact same procedure.

Option A: A pleural tap, or thoracocentesis, is a procedure to remove fluid from the pleural space, which is the area between the lungs and the chest wall. It is unrelated to the spinal canal.
Option B: An abdominal tap, or paracentesis, involves removing fluid from the peritoneal (abdominal) cavity. This is done for conditions like ascites and is not related to the spine.
Option D: This option is incorrect because only 'Lumbar puncture' is a synonym for 'spinal tap'. The other options refer to distinctly different medical procedures.

Clinical Relevance

Nursing practice connection: This is primarily an exam-oriented knowledge point with limited direct bedside application, so retain Synonyms for common medical procedures as background academic context rather than a clinical decision trigger.
A nurse's role during a lumbar puncture is critical. This includes positioning the patient correctly (usually in a lateral recumbent or sitting position with the spine flexed), providing comfort, ensuring sterile technique is maintained, and correctly labeling CSF samples.
Post-procedure, the nurse must monitor the patient for complications, most commonly a post-lumbar puncture headache. Other potential complications include bleeding, infection, or nerve irritation.
Encouraging fluid intake and instructing the patient to lie flat for a prescribed period after the procedure can help reduce the risk of a headache.

How to Approach the Question

First, identify the core question, which is asking for a synonym for the term 'spinal tap'.
Analyze the provided image. The image shows a needle being inserted into the lower back, which is the location for a spinal tap.
Evaluate each option. 'Pleural tap' relates to the chest, and 'Abdominal tap' relates to the abdomen.
'Lumbar puncture' refers to a puncture in the lumbar (lower back) region, which matches the procedure's description and the image.
Conclude that 'Lumbar puncture' is the correct medical term for 'spinal tap'.
Eliminate 'All of these' as the other options are incorrect.

Concept Tested & Keywords

Concept Tested: Synonyms for common medical procedures.
Stem keywords: Spinal tap
Lead-in keywords: also known as
Clinical cues: The image provided shows a needle being inserted into the lower back, which is a visual cue for a lumbar puncture.

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