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Difficulty: MediumBasic Care and Comfort

A 52-year-old client arrives at the nursing unit immediately following an ultrasound-guided right percutaneous liver biopsy. The registered nurse delegates the task of settling the client in bed to the practical nurse. Which positioning action should the practical nurse implement to promote comfort and prevent complications?

  1. A
    Place the client in a left lateral position with the head of the bed flat to minimize dizziness.
  2. Assist the client into a right side-lying position with a rolled towel beneath the puncture area.Answer
  3. C
    Maintain the client in a semi-Fowler's position to relax the abdominal musculature.
  4. D
    Position the client prone with a small pillow placed centrally under the abdomen.

Answer

Assist the client into a right side-lying position with a rolled towel beneath the puncture area.
Following a percutaneous liver biopsy, the client must be placed in a right side-lying position (the operative side) for at least 2 to 4 hours. Placing a rolled towel or small blanket under the puncture site utilizes the client's own body weight to apply direct pressure to the liver capsule, which helps achieve hemostasis and prevents severe hemorrhage.

Step-by-Step Solution

1
Identify the anatomical location of the procedure.
The liver is located on the right side of the abdomen, and the biopsy is a right-sided percutaneous puncture.
Knowing the anatomical site is essential for determining post-procedure care.
2
Recognize the primary post-procedure complication associated with a liver biopsy.
Hemorrhage is the most significant risk because the liver is a highly vascular organ.
Identifying the complication dictates the preventive nursing intervention.
3
Determine the physical intervention that prevents hemorrhage.
Applying direct, continuous pressure to the puncture site achieves hemostasis.
Pressure promotes blood clotting and minimizes internal and external bleeding.
4
Select the positioning strategy that applies the necessary pressure.
A right side-lying position with a rolled towel under the site utilizes the client's own body weight to apply pressure.
This specific position safely and effectively maintains continuous pressure on the liver capsule.

Key Concept

Post-Procedure Positioning for Liver Biopsy
Estimated Time:1m 0s
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Topics

Basic Care and Comfort

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