Problem: A 42-year-old female presents with acute headache, fever, photophobia, and neck stiffness. She is alert and oriented but appears ill. Her vital signs are stable. A CT head is performed and shows no evidence of mass effect or increased intracranial pressure. You are preparing to perform a lumbar puncture to evaluate for meningitis. Which of the following steps is most critical to ensure both diagnostic accuracy and patient safety during the procedure? Administer prophylactic antibiotics immediately before the procedure to avoid contamination Use a 14-gauge needle to ensure adequate CSF sampling Measure opening pressure with the patient in the lateral decubitus position before collecting CSF Collect CSF in a single tube to minimize handling and reduce infection risk Position the patient upright to improve CSF flow and reduce post-LP headache. Need Assignment Help?