A nurse is caring for a client who is scheduled for an abdominal paracentesis.
The nurse should plan to take which of the following actions?
Assist the client in the left lateral position during the procedure.
Administer a stool softener following the procedure.
Instruct the client to take deep breaths and hold them during the procedure.
Ask the client to empty his bladder prior to the procedure.
The Correct Answer is D
The nurse should ask the client to empty his bladder prior to the procedure.
This is important because a full bladder can obstruct the area where the needle will be inserted and increase the risk of bladder injury during the procedure.
Choice A is incorrect because the client should be positioned sitting upright or lying in bed with the head of the bed elevated during the procedure.
Choice B is incorrect because administering a stool softener is not necessary following an abdominal paracentesis.
Choice C is incorrect because the client should be instructed to exhale and hold their breath during needle insertion to help move the diaphragm upward and away from the area where the needle will be inserted.
Nursing Test Bank
Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams
Related Questions
Correct Answer is C
Explanation
Metformin should be withheld for a minimum of 48 hours after the procedure.

This is because metformin can increase the risk of contrast-induced acute kidney injury (CI-AKI) when undergoing contrast imaging.
Choice A, Clopidogrel, is not an answer because it is not mentioned in the search results as a medication that needs to be withheld after a CT scan with contrast media.
Choice B, Furosemide, is not an answer because it is not mentioned in the search results as a medication that needs to be withheld after a CT scan with contrast media.
Choice D, Carvedilol, is not an answer because it is not mentioned in the search results as a medication that needs to be withheld after a CT scan with contrast media.
Correct Answer is A
Explanation
The nurse’s priority assessment in the PACU (Post-Anesthesia Care Unit) should be the client’s respiratory status.

This is because the client is recovering from anesthesia and may have an altered respiratory function.
Choice B, assessing the surgical site, is not an answer because it is not the priority assessment for a client in the PACU.
Choice C, assessing the level of consciousness, is not an answer because it is not the priority assessment for a client in the PACU.
Choice D, assessing the pain level, is not an answer because it is not the priority assessment for a client in the PACU.
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