Question

A patient with cancer of the liver has severe ascites, and the health care provider plans a paracentesis to relieve the fluid pressure on the diaphragm. To prepare the patient for the procedure, the nurse? 1) asks the patient to empty the bladder. 2) positions the patient on the right side. 3) obtains informed consent for the procedure. 4) assists the patient to lie flat in bed.

Answer 1

To prepare the patient for a paracentesis procedure, the nurse should obtain informed consent, ask the patient to empty their bladder, and assist the patient in assuming a specific position.

Step-by-step explanation:

To prepare the patient for the paracentesis procedure, the nurse should obtain informed consent for the procedure. This is important to ensure that the patient understands the risks and benefits of the procedure and gives their permission for it to be performed.

Additionally, the nurse should ask the patient to empty their bladder before the procedure. This is important to ensure that the bladder does not interfere with the placement of the needle during the paracentesis.

The nurse should also assist the patient to assume a specific position during the procedure, but it is not the right side. The patient should be positioned in a sitting or semi-sitting position with their back supported and their legs draped over the edge of the bed or a chair. This position helps to reduce the risk of complications and allows for easier access to the abdomen.

Learn more about Paracentesis