What laboratory finding would a nurse expect to see in a client with bacterial meningitis following a lumbar puncture?

In a client with bacterial meningitis, elevated protein levels in the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) following a lumbar puncture is a common finding. This elevation occurs because inflammation and infection in the central nervous system lead to increased permeability of the blood-brain barrier, resulting in higher concentrations of proteins in the CSF.

Additionally, during a bacterial infection, the body produces more antibodies and inflammatory mediators, further contributing to protein elevation. While other findings such as decreased glucose levels and elevated white blood cell counts are also significant in bacterial meningitis, the marked increase in protein levels is a key indicator of the condition. The presence of elevated protein helps differentiate bacterial meningitis from viral meningitis, where protein levels are typically normal or slightly elevated.