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Difficulty: MediumBasic Care and Comfort

A female client is transferred to the medical-surgical floor immediately after undergoing a percutaneous liver biopsy in the radiology department. As the practical nurse helps the client settle into bed for the mandatory recovery phase, which position is most appropriate to implement?

  1. Lying on the right side with a folded blanket under the biopsy siteAnswer
  2. B
    Resting flat on the back with the lower extremities elevated
  3. C
    Lying on the left side with the knees bent toward the abdomen
  4. D
    Sitting upright at a ninety-degree angle with arms supported

Answer

The correct position is lying on the right side with a folded blanket under the biopsy site.
After a percutaneous liver biopsy, the priority is preventing hemorrhage. Placing the client on their right side uses the body's own weight against the bed and a folded blanket to apply direct, continuous pressure to the liver capsule and puncture site, effectively promoting hemostasis.

Step-by-Step Solution

1
Identify the specific procedure performed and its primary associated complication.
The client underwent a percutaneous liver biopsy, which carries a high risk of severe bleeding due to the liver's highly vascular nature.
Recognizing the most life-threatening complication dictates the priority basic care intervention.
2
Determine the anatomical location involved in the procedure.
The liver is situated in the right upper quadrant of the abdomen.
Understanding anatomy is necessary to apply targeted, site-specific interventions.
3
Select the client position that best mitigates the identified bleeding risk.
Positioning the client on the right side applies the body's own weight as direct external pressure to the biopsy site.
Continuous mechanical compression promotes hemostasis and prevents internal hemorrhage at the puncture site.

Key Concept

Post-procedure Hemostasis and Client Positioning
Estimated Time:1m 0s
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Topics

Basic Care and Comfort

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