The nurse is caring for a client admitted to the hospital with a tentative diagnosis of bacterial meningitis. Which diagnostic procedure should the nurse prepare the client for?

Choice A reason: MRI may be useful for identifying complications such as abscesses or structural abnormalities, but it is not the primary diagnostic test for meningitis. Choice B reason: Lumbar puncture is the gold standard diagnostic procedure for bacterial meningitis. It allows direct analysis of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) for white blood cell count, glucose, protein, and bacterial culture, confirming the diagnosis. Choice C reason: CT scan may be performed before lumbar puncture if increased intracranial pressure is suspected, but it does not directly diagnose meningitis. It is supportive rather than definitive. Choice D reason: Skull radiography is not useful in diagnosing meningitis. It provides information about bone structures but does not assess CSF or infection.