AIIMS Delhi NO - 2018: Which fluid is aspirated or collected in the following procedure?& x20;

AIIMS Delhi NO - 2018

Medical Surgical Nursing

Easy

Appeared in: AIIMS Delhi NO - 2018

Explanation

The image clearly depicts a lumbar puncture (spinal tap), a procedure performed in the lower back.
During a lumbar puncture, a needle is inserted into the subarachnoid space, which is filled with cerebrospinal fluid (CSF).
Therefore, cerebrospinal fluid is the substance aspirated during this procedure.
CSF analysis is essential for diagnosing various neurological disorders, including infections, hemorrhages, and inflammatory diseases.

Option A: Pericardial fluid is located in the pericardial sac surrounding the heart, not in the spinal column.
Option B: Synovial fluid is a lubricant found in the cavities of synovial joints, such as the knee or shoulder.
Option D: Vitreous fluid (or vitreous humor) is the gel-like substance that fills the eyeball behind the lens.

Clinical Relevance

Nursing practice connection: This is primarily an exam-oriented knowledge point with limited direct bedside application, so retain Identification of the fluid collected during a lumbar puncture procedure as background academic context rather than a clinical decision trigger.
A key nursing responsibility is to correctly position the patient for a lumbar puncture to ensure the provider can access the subarachnoid space safely and effectively.
Post-procedure monitoring is critical. Nurses must assess for complications, the most common being a post-lumbar puncture headache, which is caused by CSF leakage and is typically worse when upright.
What if? If the collected CSF appeared cloudy or purulent instead of clear, the nurse should anticipate a diagnosis of bacterial meningitis and prepare for the administration of urgent intravenous antibiotics as per protocol.

How to Approach the Question

First, carefully analyze the image provided. Identify the anatomical location (lower back/lumbar spine) and the action being performed (insertion of a needle).
Recognize the procedure as a lumbar puncture or spinal tap based on these visual cues.
Recall or deduce the purpose of a lumbar puncture, which is to access the space surrounding the spinal cord.
Consider the fluids listed in the options and their locations in the body.
Match the procedure (lumbar puncture) with the correct fluid (cerebrospinal fluid), which is found in the central nervous system.
Eliminate the other options by identifying the correct procedures for their collection (pericardiocentesis for pericardial fluid, arthrocentesis for synovial fluid).

Concept Tested & Keywords

Concept Tested: Identification of the fluid collected during a lumbar puncture procedure.
Stem keywords: fluid, aspirated, collected, procedure
Lead-in keywords: Which
Clinical cues: The image shows a needle inserted into the lumbar region of the spine, which is the key visual cue for identifying the procedure as a lumbar puncture.

Qm-SVRTOKS1OFQulh2NC9b

E6 Nursing Brunner Adult Health 3SA Vol 2 Part 2 p. 19-21

E6 Anatomy Applied Ashalatha 4e p. 423-425

E6 Nelson Textbook of Pediatrics(2024) — Volume 2 p. 1363-1365