Following an ultrasound-guided percutaneous liver biopsy, an adult client is brought to the medical unit for recovery. The client is drowsy from mild conscious sedation, reports mild procedural discomfort, and needs assistance finding a resting position. Which positioning action should the practical nurse implement to ensure client safety?
- Assist the client into a right lateral side-lying position with a small rolled blanket placed beneath the lower right rib cage.Answer
- BPosition the client in a left lateral side-lying position to promote venous return and avoid placing pressure on the puncture site.
- CElevate the head of the bed to 45 degrees while keeping the client supine to facilitate optimal diaphragmatic excursion.
- DAssist the client into a prone position to provide counter-pressure to the abdomen and alleviate procedural discomfort.
Answer
The correct action is to assist the client into a right lateral side-lying position with a small rolled blanket placed beneath the lower right rib cage.
The correct positioning intervention is to place the client on their right side with a rolled blanket under the lower right rib cage. The liver is a highly vascular organ located in the right upper quadrant. Following a percutaneous liver biopsy, the primary clinical risk is internal hemorrhage. Placing the client in a right lateral position utilizes the client's own body weight to provide direct, continuous mechanical compression to the puncture site against the chest wall. This external pressure promotes hemostasis and minimizes the risk of severe bleeding.
Step-by-Step Solution
Key Concept
Post-procedure positioning following a percutaneous liver biopsy to prevent internal hemorrhage.