Examkin

Question

Difficulty: MediumBasic Care and Comfort

Following a right-sided percutaneous liver biopsy, an adult client is transferred to the medical-surgical floor for ongoing monitoring. Which positioning strategy should the practical nurse implement to minimize the risk of post-procedure complications?

  1. A
    Place the client in a flat supine position with both legs fully extended.
  2. B
    Position the client on the left side to facilitate unrestricted blood flow to the hepatic system.
  3. Position the client on the right side with a small pillow beneath the lower rib cage.Answer
  4. D
    Place the client in a semi-Fowler's position with the knees slightly elevated to reduce abdominal tension.

Answer

Position the client on the right side with a small pillow beneath the lower rib cage.
Following a percutaneous liver biopsy, the most significant immediate risk is bleeding from the highly vascular liver tissue. Positioning the client on the right side (the operative side) allows the client's body weight to apply direct mechanical pressure to the puncture site, promoting hemostasis and preventing hemorrhage.

Step-by-Step Solution

1
Analyze the specific invasive procedure performed on the client.
The client underwent a right-sided percutaneous liver biopsy.
Identifying the anatomical location and nature of the procedure dictates the specific post-operative care and complication risks.
2
Identify the primary physiological risk associated with this specific procedure.
The liver is a highly vascular organ, making severe internal bleeding the primary risk following a needle biopsy.
Anticipating the most life-threatening complication guides the nurse to prioritize preventive interventions.
3
Select the nursing intervention that directly mitigates this risk.
Applying direct mechanical pressure to the right side achieves hemostasis.
Right side-lying uses the client's own body weight against the mattress to compress the puncture site and promote blood clotting.

Key Concept

Post-Procedure Positioning for Hemostasis
Rate this question

Topics

Basic Care and Comfort

More questions from this topic