Final answer:
The false statement about spinal anesthesia is that the spine should be as straight as possible to facilitate needle placement. Curvature can help in opening the spaces between vertebrae for easier needle placement. Lumbar puncture is done in the lower lumbar area to avoid spinal cord injury.
Step-by-step explanation:
The false statement regarding spinal anesthesia is D) The spine should be as straight as possible to facilitate needle placement. In practice, allowing for some curvature can help open the spaces between the vertebrae, making it easier to place the needle correctly. The other statements are accurate regarding spinal anesthesia: A) For proper needle placement, patients are indeed positioned in either the sitting or lateral position. B) The needle is typically introduced at the level of the lumbar spine for spinal anesthesia, as it is the safest area to avoid spinal cord injury. C) Basic monitors must be placed before injection to ensure patient safety and manage potential side effects like hypotension or respiratory depression. E) A "high spinal" can cause severe hypotension or apnea because the anesthetic affects the higher segments of the spinal cord, potentially impacting cardiovascular and respiratory control. Lumbar puncture is performed in the lower lumbar area to sample cerebrospinal fluid (CSF), because the spinal cord usually ends around level L1/L2 in adults, allowing for a safer procedure without risking damage to the central nervous system (CNS).