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Question

Difficulty: EasyReduction of Risk Potential

A client has just returned to the medical-surgical unit after undergoing a percutaneous liver biopsy. To minimize the risk of post-procedure hemorrhage, which of the following positions should the nurse assist the client into?

  1. Right side-lying positionAnswer
  2. B
    Left side-lying position
  3. C
    Supine position with the head of the bed elevated 45 degrees
  4. D
    Prone position with a small pillow under the abdomen

Answer

Right side-lying position
The correct answer involves placing the client on their right side. Because the liver is a highly vascular organ situated in the right upper quadrant, a percutaneous biopsy carries a significant risk of hemorrhage. The right side-lying position uses the client's body weight against the mattress to apply direct, continuous pressure to the biopsy site, which promotes hemostasis and minimizes the risk of bleeding.

Step-by-Step Solution

1
Identify the procedure performed and its primary complication.
The client had a percutaneous liver biopsy. The liver is a highly vascular organ, making hemorrhage the primary post-procedure risk.
Recognizing the major risk associated with an invasive procedure dictates the immediate nursing interventions required for client safety.
2
Determine the anatomical location of the liver.
The liver is located in the right upper quadrant of the abdomen.
Understanding anatomy is necessary to apply targeted interventions, such as localized pressure.
3
Select the position that best mitigates the identified risk based on anatomy.
Positioning the client on their right side utilizes the bed and the client's own body weight to compress the liver against the abdominal wall.
Direct pressure promotes hemostasis and reduces the potential for bleeding.

Key Concept

Applying physiological principles and anatomical knowledge to reduce post-procedural risks, specifically hemorrhage after a liver biopsy.
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Topics

Reduction of Risk Potential

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