To Determine the Causative Agent of a CNS Infection, a Sample

Question

To determine the causative agent of a CNS infection, a sample is taken from the
A)cerebrospinal fluid.
B)arterial blood.
C)venous blood.
D)urine.

Accepted Answer

The best sample to take to determine the causative agent of a CNS infection is cerebrospinal fluid (CSF). CSF surrounds the brain and spinal cord, and analyzing it can provide information on the presence of bacteria, viruses, or other pathogens causing the infection. Arterial and venous blood may be taken to assess the severity of the infection or to monitor treatment, but they are not as reliable for identifying the specific causative agent. Urine is not a suitable sample for analyzing CNS infections.