What it means
Cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) is collected, most often through a needle in the lower back (lumbar punctureLUM-bar PUNK-cherA procedure in which a needle is put between two bones in the lower back to take out spinal fluid or give medicine; a spinal tap.lumb/o lower backpuncture piercingFull entry ), and checked for its appearance, pressure, cells, protein and glucose, and for germs by stain and culture. It helps diagnose meningitismen-in-JY-tisInflammation of the meninges, the membranes that cover the brain and spinal cord.mening/o meninges-itis inflammationFull entry , bleeding around the brain, multiple sclerosis and some cancers. Normal CSF is clear and colorless.
For the nurse
Label the tubes in the order they were collected and send them to the lab at once. After the procedure, position the client as ordered, encourage fluids unless restricted, and check the site and for headache, which is often worse sitting up.
At a glance
| Normal range | Clear and colorless; opening pressure 60–200 mm H2O lying on the side; white cells 0–5 cells/mm³; protein 15–45 mg/dL [0.15–0.45 g/L]; glucose 50–80 mg/dL [2.8–4.4 mmol/L], about two-thirds of the blood glucose. |
|---|---|
| Also written | CSF analysis, CSF studies |
Related terms
spinal cord
The long bundle of nerves that runs down through the backbone and carries messages between the brain and the body.
meningitis
Inflammation of the meninges, the membranes that cover the brain and spinal cord.
lumbar puncture
A procedure in which a needle is put between two bones in the lower back to take out spinal fluid or give medicine; a spinal tap.