Final answer:
After a lumbar puncture, a 2-year-old should be kept flat for several hours to prevent complications. The procedure is performed in the lower lumbar region to safely sample CSF for diagnosis, especially for conditions like meningitis.
Step-by-step explanation:
Following a lumbar puncture of a 2-year-old, the nurse should keep the child flat for several hours. This post-procedure step is important to prevent potential complications, such as spinal headaches or leakage of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF).
A lumbar puncture is performed in the lower lumbar area to avoid damage to the spinal cord, which ends at the upper lumbar vertebrae. The procedure is primarily used for diagnosing conditions like meningitis, where a sample of CSF is taken for laboratory testing.
Prompt and accurate diagnosis is crucial as bacterial meningitis requires immediate treatment with antibiotics, and has a higher fatality risk compared to viral meningitis, which is generally milder and does not respond to antibiotics.