Question

The client is scheduled for a pericentesis. Which instruction should be given to the client before the exam? A. "You will need to lay flat during the exam." B. "You need to empty your bladder before the procedure." C. "You will be asleep during the procedure." D. "The doctor will inject a medication to treat your illness during the procedure."

Short answer

Answer: The client needs to empty their bladder before the procedure.

Step-by-step solution

Understanding pericentesis

Pericentesis, also known as paracentesis, is a procedure in which a needle or catheter is inserted into the peritoneal cavity to remove fluid (ascites) that has accumulated there. In order to find the correct answer, it is essential to understand what the procedure entails and what the patient should expect.

Analyzing option A

"You will need to lay flat during the exam." In a pericentesis procedure, the client usually lies on their back with one of their legs slightly bent. While it is true that the client will need to lay in a flat position, this is a general and not specific instruction for many medical procedures, making it unlikely to be the most significant or relevant pre-procedure advice.

Analyzing option B

"You need to empty your bladder before the procedure." Emptying the bladder prior to the procedure can help reduce the risk of bladder injury during pericentesis. Since the needle will be inserted into the peritoneal cavity, having an empty bladder will allow the healthcare provider to more accurately locate and safely access the fluid in the abdominal cavity.

Analyzing option C

"You will be asleep during the procedure." Pericentesis is typically performed under local anesthesia, which means the client will be awake but not feel any pain in the area being treated. Thus, this statement is incorrect, as the client will not be asleep during the procedure.

Analyzing option D

"The doctor will inject a medication to treat your illness during the procedure." Pericentesis is a diagnostic and therapeutic procedure meant to remove excess fluid from the peritoneal cavity, but it does not involve injecting medication directly into the patient. Therefore, this statement is incorrect.

Choosing the correct answer

Based on the analysis of all the given options, option B, "You need to empty your bladder before the procedure," is the most relevant and accurate instruction that should be given to the client before a pericentesis exam.