Question 8 A patient's cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) examination reveals seven lymphocytes per milliliter of CSF. Which type of infection does the nurse suspect? Viral Fungal Bacterial None; the lymphocytes are within normal limits.

The cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) normally contains very few cells, typically ranging from 0 to 5 lymphocytes per microliter (µL). A count of seven lymphocytes per µL is slightly above the upper limit of normal but still falls within a range that is often considered acceptable in clinical contexts. However, the presence of lymphocytes in the CSF is more indicative of certain types of infections: - **Viral Infections:** These generally present with a lymphocytic predominance in the CSF. Even though seven lymphocytes per µL is on the higher side, it is still suggestive of a viral process, especially in the absence of other concerning signs or symptoms. - **Bacterial Infections:** Typically show a neutrophilic (not lymphocytic) predominance in the CSF. - **Fungal Infections:** May also show a mixed or lymphocytic response but are generally less common and often present with more significant abnormalities in the CSF. Given the CSF lymphocyte count and considering the normal ranges, the most likely type of infection is **viral**. **Answer:** Viral