Pediatric ATI Practice Exam

What is the nurse's priority action when assisting with a lumbar puncture for a school-age child?

1. Labeling collected specimens

2. Providing reassurance to the child

3. Maintaining the child's position

4. Monitoring the child's vital signs

The correct answer is: Maintaining the child's position

Maintaining the child's position is crucial during a lumbar puncture because it ensures the procedure's effectiveness and safety. A proper position enhances access to the lumbar spine and minimizes the risk of complications, such as nerve injury or leakage of cerebrospinal fluid. Typically, the child will be positioned in a way that optimally opens the spaces between the vertebrae, usually sitting up and leaning forward or lying on their side with knees drawn towards the chest. While providing reassurance to the child is also important, it mainly supports their emotional well-being and reduces anxiety, but does not have a direct impact on the technical success of the procedure. Monitoring vital signs is important, though it typically occurs after the procedure to assess for any potential complications. Labeling collected specimens, while necessary for correct identification and processing, is a task that can be performed after the procedure is completed and therefore does not take priority during the lumbar puncture itself.