During a lumbar puncture, which cerebrospinal fluid result is a priority concern for the nurse?

• A. Leukocyte count 500 mm³
• B. Protein 300 mg/dL
• C. Glucose 50 mg/dL
• D. 90% neutrophils

Answer: (B)

A lumbar puncture, or spinal tap, is a medical procedure used to collect cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) for diagnostic purposes. The analysis of CSF can reveal critical information about central nervous system health. When interpreting the results, certain values are indicative of specific pathological conditions.

In this scenario, the presence of 90% neutrophils in the CSF (the correct choice) is a significant concern. High neutrophil counts typically suggest bacterial meningitis or an acute inflammatory response. Neutrophils are a type of white blood cell that responds primarily to bacterial infections, and their predominance in the CSF would prompt urgent clinical intervention, including possibly initiating antibiotic therapy to address a suspected infection.

While a leukocyte count of 500 mm³ is elevated and could indicate an infection or other pathology, neutrophils specifically signal a higher likelihood of severe bacterial infection. Similarly, a protein level of 300 mg/dL indicates an abnormality, often seen in infections or inflammatory conditions, yet it's the neutrophil predominance that signifies a more acute and potentially life-threatening situation. A glucose level of 50 mg/dL, while also relevant, is typically considered normal in the context of infections and would not raise immediate alarm compared