The nurse’s role in assisting with a lumbar puncture in an infant or child
To learn about the main reasons for undertaking a lumbar puncture in infants and children
To refresh your knowledge of the techniques that nurses can use to comfort children undergoing a lumbar puncture
To contribute towards revalidation as part of your 35 hours of CPD (UK readers)
To contribute towards your professional development and local registration renewal requirements (non-UK readers)
A lumbar puncture may be performed for various reasons, but is commonly used to facilitate the diagnosis of central nervous system infections in infants and children. It involves inserting a needle into the lower spine to obtain cerebrospinal fluid, which is then sent for testing in a laboratory. The results of the tests, together with a clinical assessment of a patient, can guide the effective treatment of infections and reduce the risk of neurological conditions. This article outlines some of the reasons why lumbar punctures are performed, discusses the practical aspects of the procedure and explains how nurses can effectively support the child and their family, while also assisting the practitioner undertaking the procedure.
