Question

a nurse is caring for a client immediately following lumbar puncture. which of the following actions should the nurse plan to take first? remind the client analgesia may be prescribed for headache. place the bed flat with a pillow under the clients head. offer the client a choice of beverages to drink. review the purpose of spinal fluid testing with the client.

Explanation:

After a lumbar puncture, placing the bed flat with a pillow under the client's head (supine position) helps prevent post - lumbar puncture headache. This is because it helps maintain cerebrospinal fluid pressure. While offering beverages (to increase fluid intake to help with CSF production) and discussing analgesia (if headache occurs) are important, the immediate positioning is the first - line preventive measure. Reviewing the purpose of spinal fluid testing is an educational aspect but not the first action.

Answer:

Place the bed flat with a pillow under the client's head.