Critical Care Registered Nurse (CCRN) Practice Exam

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Prepare for the Critical Care Registered Nurse (CCRN) Exam. Study with flashcards and multiple choice questions, each accompanied by hints and explanations. Get ready to excel in your CCRN certification!

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During which procedure is cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) obtained for analysis?

  1. Transcranial Doppler Studies

  2. Lumbar puncture

  3. Electroencephalography

  4. Magnetic resonance angiography

The correct answer is: Lumbar puncture

Cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) is obtained for analysis during a lumbar puncture. This procedure involves the insertion of a needle into the subarachnoid space of the spinal canal, typically in the lumbar region, to collect CSF. The analysis of CSF is crucial for diagnosing various neurological conditions, including infections, hemorrhages, and demyelinating diseases. In this procedure, CSF can be evaluated for its cellular content, protein levels, glucose concentrations, and the presence of pathogens, which provides valuable diagnostic information. The other procedures mentioned, such as transcranial Doppler studies, electroencephalography, and magnetic resonance angiography, do not involve the extraction of CSF and serve different diagnostic purposes related to blood flow, electrical brain activity, and vascular imaging, respectively. This distinct function of the lumbar puncture highlights its critical role in the assessment of neurological disorders.