Lumbar Puncture MCQ Quiz | Regional Anesthesia

Welcome to the Lumbar Puncture (LP) quiz, designed for MBBS students studying Regional Anesthesia. This quiz will test your understanding of the anatomical landmarks, indications, contraindications, procedural steps, CSF analysis, and potential complications associated with this vital clinical procedure. Each of the 25 multiple-choice questions is crafted to reflect the core knowledge required for both theoretical exams and practical application. After submitting your answers, you will see your score and a detailed review of each question, highlighting the correct and incorrect responses. For your future reference and study, you can download a complete list of all questions and their correct answers in a convenient PDF format using the download button provided after the quiz. Good luck!

1. What is the ideal intervertebral space for performing a lumbar puncture in a normal adult?

2. Which ligament offers the first significant resistance, often felt as a ‘pop’, as the spinal needle is advanced into the epidural space?

3. Which of the following is considered an absolute contraindication for a lumbar puncture?

4. What is the typical opening pressure of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) in a healthy adult in the lateral decubitus position?

5. Post-dural puncture headache (PDPH) is primarily caused by:

6. To minimize the risk of PDPH, which type of spinal needle is generally preferred?

7. In a patient with suspected bacterial meningitis, which set of CSF findings is most characteristic?

8. The presence of xanthochromia in a CSF sample is most indicative of:

9. The spinal cord (conus medullaris) typically terminates at which vertebral level in most adults?

10. What is the correct order of structures pierced by a spinal needle during a midline approach lumbar puncture?

11. A “traumatic tap” is characterized by the presence of what in the CSF?

12. The purpose of collecting CSF in multiple, sequentially numbered tubes is primarily to:

13. Which of the following is a therapeutic indication for lumbar puncture?

14. A major risk of performing an LP in a patient with a space-occupying brain lesion is:

15. The Tuffier’s line, a common anatomical landmark for LP, is an imaginary line connecting:

16. The cauda equina is composed of:

17. Which part of the brain is primarily responsible for producing CSF?

18. In typical viral meningitis, the CSF glucose level is:

19. For a patient on anticoagulation therapy, what is a major concern when considering a lumbar puncture?

20. What advice is commonly given to a patient immediately after a lumbar puncture to reduce the risk of headache?

21. The subarachnoid space, the target for CSF collection, is located between which two layers?

22. Which of the following is NOT a common complication of lumbar puncture?

23. In Guillain-Barré syndrome, a characteristic finding in the CSF is:

24. When performing an LP on an infant, the spinal cord terminates at a lower level, typically around:

25. What is the purpose of the stylet within the spinal needle?