Question

Following a lumbar puncture, a client voices several concerns. Which concern indicates to the nurse that the client is experiencing a complication of the procedure?

a. *I feel sick to my stomach and am going to throw up."
b. "I am having pain in my lower back when I move my legs."
c. "My throat hurts badly when I swallow and when I talk."
d. "I have a headache that gets worse when I sit up"

Answer 1

The complication from a lumbar puncture procedure is likely a post-dural puncture headache, as it is a common side effect characterized by (d) a headache that worsens upon sitting up.

Step-by-step explanation:

The worry that alerts the nurse to the client's potential lumbar puncture procedure problem is d. "I have a headache that gets worse when I sit up." A post-dural puncture headache, which can happen when the dura mater is ruptured and cause a cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) leak, could be the cause of this symptom. When the patient sits up, the loss of CSF causes a drop in brain pressure, which results in a headache.

Lumbar punctures are performed in the lower lumbar area to avoid damaging the central nervous system, as this region is below the termination of the spinal cord.