Cerebrospinal Fluid

Question 1

functions of CSF

Answer 1

1. Supply nutrients
2. Remove wastes
3. Maintain intracranial pressure
4. Cushion (BBB)

Question 2

Identify the layer of meninges:

hard mother

lines the skull and vertebral canal

Answer 2

dura mater

Question 3

Identify the layer of meninges:

filamentous inner membrane

spiderweb-like

Answer 3

arachnoid

Question 4

Identify the layer of meninges:

gentle mother

thin membrane lining the surfaces of brain and spinal cord

Answer 4

pia mater

Question 5

Where is the CSF produced?

Answer 5

choroid plexuses

Question 6

How much is the production of CSF per hour?

Answer 6

20mL/hr

Question 7

CSF RI in adults

Answer 7

90-150mL

Question 8

CSF RI in neonates

Answer 8

10-60mL

Question 9

tigh-fitting junctures that prevent the passage of antibodies, leukocytes, protein, and some medications in the choroid plexuses

Answer 9

Blood Brain Barrier

Question 10

specimen collection of CSF

Answer 10

lumbar puncture

(between 3rd and 4th / 4th and 5th lumbar vertebra)

Question 11

Identify the tube number in CSF collection:

chemical and serological tests

Answer 11

Tube 1

Question 12

Identify the tube number in CSF collection:

microbiology

Answer 12

Tube 2

Question 13

Identify the tube number in CSF collection:

hematology (cell count)

Answer 13

Tube 3

Question 14

What is the purpose of fourth tube CSF collection?

Answer 14

confirmatory test for microbiology lab

Question 15

If tube 1 (chem + sero) cannot be tested immediately, what is its required temperature for storage?

Answer 15

frozen

Question 16

If tube 2 (microbio) cannot be tested immediately, what is its required temperature for storage?

Answer 16

room temperature

Question 17

If tube 3 (hema) cannot be tested immediately, what is its required temperature for storage?

Answer 17

refrigerated up to 4hrs

Question 18

What is the term used to describe CSF supernatant that is pink, orange, or yellow?

RBC degradation products, ↑ bilirubin and protein, carotene and melanoma

Answer 18

xantochromia

Question 19

What is the significance of having protein in the CSF?

Answer 19

Disorders affecting BBB

Question 20

3 Indications of traumatic tap collection

Answer 20

1. uneven blood distribution
2. clot formation
3. xanthrochromic supernatant

Question 21

What is the cell count that is routinely performed on CSF specimens?

Answer 21

WBC Count

Question 22

lysing factor used in WBC count to lyse RBCs

Answer 22

3% glacial acetic acid

Question 23

What is the stain used during WBC count to stain WBCs?

Answer 23

Methylene Blue

Question 24

Number of cells counted for differential count

Answer 24

100 cells

Question 25

What is the stain used for differential counting?

Answer 25

Wright's stain

Question 26

What is the purpose of adding albumin during cytocentrifugation?

Answer 26

Increases cell yield and decreases cell distortion

Question 27

2 cells normally found in CSF specimen

Answer 27

monocytes and lymphocytes

Question 28

increased lymphocytes and monocytes

Answer 28

pleocytosis

Question 29

indication of HIV infection and AIDs

Answer 29

lymphocytes

Question 30

indication of coccidioidal meningitis

Answer 30

eosinophils

Question 30

indication of Guillain-Baree syndrome and Sarcoidosis

Answer 30

Plasma cells

Question 31

What is the chemical test most frequently performed on CSF?

Answer 31

Protein determination

Question 32

RI for total CSF protein

Answer 32

15-45mg/dL

Question 33

What makes up most of CSF protein?

Answer 33

albumin

Question 34

What composes alpha globulins?

Answer 34

haptoglobin and ceruloplasmin

Question 35

Major beta globulin present in CSF

Answer 35

Transferrin

Question 36

# Identify the type of meningitis: neutrophils present

Answer 36

bacterial meningitis

Question 37

# Identify the type of meningitis: * normal glucose * normal lactate

Answer 37

viral meningitis

Question 38

# Identify the type of meningitis: * presence of weblike clot or pellicle * (+) *M. tuberculosis*

Answer 38

mycobacterial (tubercular) meningitis

Question 39

# Identify the type of meningitis: (+) India ink test | *Cryptococcus neoformans*

Answer 39

fungal meningitis