Sedation for a spinal tap??

Published

Hello. I posted awhile back about helping my friend through an LP. She had it and her sister went with her. It was her second one and very hard on her. She has to have another this week and she is scared. Can she have any kind of sedation? I guess the second LP-the upcoming one will be her 3rd-was brutal. TIA

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in PICU/NICU.

I'm not sure how the adult word works but.... with kids we will give a little versed and fentanyl at least- sometimes Ketamine- and sometimes propofol depending on the situation.

Hopefully, she has made her doc aware of her anxiety... she needs to speak with the doc and ask if she can have a little something to help her out.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Cardiac, ER.

I've never seen an adult sedated for an LP unless they were mentally handicapped an unable to understand what is going on. Maybe her doc will giver her something to take before she gets there.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Med-Surg/Neuro/Oncology floor nursing..

When I had my spinal tap after I was having complications(pain going down my neck amongst other things) from my neurosurgery(they wanted to make sure I didn't have meningitis) they gave me IV ativan (and I was 25) Also the neurosurgeon residents did it. I guess every hospital it different.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in ED, Neuro, Management, Clinical Educator.

I have seen hundreds of LP's but I've never seen one with sedation.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Oncology.

I've only seen them sedated if they were getting IT chemo with it. If they're really anxious about it we might do a touch of ativan.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
+ Join the Discussion