Nursing management of lumbar drains.
Continuous external lumbar subarachnoid drainage is a useful therapy in the treatment of dural fistulae. Nurses have a vital role in monitoring patients with lumbar drains for complications and in maintaining integrity of the system. The nursing role is discussed in this article, with special emphasis placed on recognition and treatment of the most serious complication, tension pneumocephalus.
Clevenger
V
V
Ramsey Clinic, St. Paul, Minnesota 55101.
D002559:Cerebrospinal Fluid Rhinorrhea / Q000209:etiology / Q000628:therapy*; D004322:Drainage / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000379:methods / Q000451:nursing*; D006801:Humans; D008581:Meningitis / Q000209:etiology / Q000451:nursing / Q000517:prevention & control; D010347:Patient Care Planning; D011007:Pneumocephalus / Q000209:etiology / Q000451:nursing / Q000503:physiopathology; D013129:Spinal Puncture / Q000379:methods / Q000451:nursing*