Lumbar Puncture While Awake

Lumbar Puncture While Awake

Learn how this is done while your child is awake.
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What Is a Lumbar Puncture (LP)?

A lumbar puncture is a procedure to collect a small amount of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF). This fluid surrounds your spinal cord. It is protected by your back bones, or vertebrae. The CSF can help tell your provider more about the inside of your body and how it is working. Sometimes they are done while awake or asleep under anesthesia.

When Am I Ready To Do an LP While Awake?

You will be able to have an LP done while awake when you:

  • Can follow multi-step directions
  • Can lay still for at least 30 minutes
  • Are not too scared or fearful of tests with needles

A Child Life Specialist can help you decide if you are ready. Ask your health care team to consult Child Life.

What Are the Steps of A LP?

Before the LP:

  1. A nurse will put a cream on your lower back. This will help numb your skin. When your skin is numb it does not feel pain, but you will still feel pressure. You can play while the cream starts to work.
    nurse adding cream
  2. When your skin is numb, you will lie down on your left side.
  3. You will need to curl your knees up to your belly button.
  4. Everyone will put on a mask. This helps keep things clean.

During the LP:

  1. During the LP, your job is to keep your body still and relaxed. You can do this by playing a video game, watching a video, or squeezing a stress ball. Taking deep breaths can also help.
    video game
  2. The provider will take the cream off and clean your back with soap. It will feel cold and wet.
    clean back
  3. Paper blankets will be put on your back to keep it clean. The provider will then feel for the right spot with their fingers. You will feel a little pushing on your back.
    paper blankets
  4. Once the right spot is found, the provider will  place a needle in the spinal canal. That is how the fluid is collected. You will not feel a poke but will feel a big push and pressure. It is important to stay still and keep your back relaxed. Sometimes the drips are fast. Other times the drips come out slow. Remember you can keep playing or watching a video during this time.
    needle

After the LP:

  1. Once enough fluid is collected, the LP is done!
  2. You may still need medicine. This will be given now with the same needle used for your LP.
  3. The needle will then be removed. Your provider will clean everything up and put a band aid on your back.
    band aid
  4. You will need to lay flat on your back for 30 minutes to an hour. Your nurse will tell you when you can sit up again.

ALERT

Call your child’s doctor, nurse, or clinic if you have any questions or concerns or if your child has special health care needs that were not covered by this information.