Final answer:
The notion that a lumbar puncture does not have to be sterile is false. It must be conducted under sterile conditions to prevent potentially severe infections. The procedure is done in the lower lumbar region to avoid injury to the spinal cord.
Step-by-step explanation:
The statement that a lumbar puncture to collect CSF does not necessarily have to be performed as a sterile procedure is false. Lumbar puncture is a medical procedure that involves inserting a needle into the lumbar region of the vertebral column to collect cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) for testing. Due to the invasive nature of this procedure and its proximity to the central nervous system (CNS), it is crucial that lumbar punctures are performed under strict sterile conditions to prevent infections such as meningitis, which could be a life-threatening complication.
Microorganisms that would be killed by antibiotic treatment include bacteria, particularly gram-positive and gram-negative bacteria, which are differentiated by Gram stain. Antifungals would be required for fungal infections, and antivirals for viral infections. The lumbar puncture is performed in the lower lumbar area because the spinal cord does not extend through this region, reducing the risk of damaging the central tissue of the spinal cord during the procedure.