Which of the following is a common laboratory test used to diagnose bacterial me
Practice Questions
Q1
Which of the following is a common laboratory test used to diagnose bacterial meningitis?
Complete blood count
Lumbar puncture and cerebrospinal fluid analysis
Urinalysis
Chest X-ray
Questions & Step-by-Step Solutions
Which of the following is a common laboratory test used to diagnose bacterial meningitis?
Step 1: Understand that bacterial meningitis is an infection of the protective membranes covering the brain and spinal cord.
Step 2: Know that to diagnose this condition, doctors need to analyze the fluid around the brain and spinal cord.
Step 3: Learn that a lumbar puncture (also known as a spinal tap) is a procedure where a needle is inserted into the lower back to collect cerebrospinal fluid (CSF).
Step 4: Recognize that after collecting the CSF, it is sent to a laboratory for analysis to check for signs of infection, such as bacteria.
Step 5: Conclude that the lumbar puncture followed by cerebrospinal fluid analysis is the standard test for diagnosing bacterial meningitis.
