CPSS- Centesis Exam Questions And
Answers A+ Graded
What is the indication of a paracentesis? -Answer ascites
- new onset
- therapeutic
- diagnostic
What are the relative contraindications for a paracentesis? -Answer Coagulopathy
Overlying anatomical or infectious abnormalities
Distended abdominal organs (i.e. ileus, megacolon)
Surgical scars: May have attached bowel
T/F: using an US is the standard of care for a paracentesis? -Answer TRUE
What is the best approach for a paracentesis? Why? -Answer Lateral
Bc when the pt is supine, the fluid will pool to the posterior wall and avoiding bowel
perforation is easier.
How should the pt be positioned for a paracentesis? - Answer Pt supine and/or with
head elevated to 10-30 degrees
, (pic on lecture says 30-45 degrees)
What do you need to careful of when using the anterior approach for a paracentesis? -
Answer avoid the inferior epigastric arteries.
T/F: For a paracentesis, it is considered a complete sterile technique, when the
practitioner must be gowned up as well? - Answer FALSE- Sterile technique but do not
have to fully scrub in (don't have to fully gown in)
When inserting the needle for a paracentesis, you want to pull the skin taught in what
direction? - Answer caudad (approx 1-2 cm)
How will fluid on an US appear? - Answer anechoic/hypoechoic (DARK)
This is where the needle will go to drain!
How can you identify and locate the bowel in an US before you do a paracentesis? -
Answer Bowel will glisten (more than other tissue) and you will be able to see
peristalsis.
While placing the needle for a paracentesis, how would you know that you are in the
peritoneal cavity? - Answer loss of resistance will be felt
Paracentesis procedure:
a. Grasp syringe with (_) hand
b. Rest (_) surface of (_) hand on patient's abdomen, and use (_) of this hand to steady
shaft of needle
c. Keep nondominant hand in this position during needle advancement and continue to
hold the (_) - Answer a. dominant
b. dorsal; nondominant; thumb and index finger
c. nondominant; shaft of needle
Answers A+ Graded
What is the indication of a paracentesis? -Answer ascites
- new onset
- therapeutic
- diagnostic
What are the relative contraindications for a paracentesis? -Answer Coagulopathy
Overlying anatomical or infectious abnormalities
Distended abdominal organs (i.e. ileus, megacolon)
Surgical scars: May have attached bowel
T/F: using an US is the standard of care for a paracentesis? -Answer TRUE
What is the best approach for a paracentesis? Why? -Answer Lateral
Bc when the pt is supine, the fluid will pool to the posterior wall and avoiding bowel
perforation is easier.
How should the pt be positioned for a paracentesis? - Answer Pt supine and/or with
head elevated to 10-30 degrees
, (pic on lecture says 30-45 degrees)
What do you need to careful of when using the anterior approach for a paracentesis? -
Answer avoid the inferior epigastric arteries.
T/F: For a paracentesis, it is considered a complete sterile technique, when the
practitioner must be gowned up as well? - Answer FALSE- Sterile technique but do not
have to fully scrub in (don't have to fully gown in)
When inserting the needle for a paracentesis, you want to pull the skin taught in what
direction? - Answer caudad (approx 1-2 cm)
How will fluid on an US appear? - Answer anechoic/hypoechoic (DARK)
This is where the needle will go to drain!
How can you identify and locate the bowel in an US before you do a paracentesis? -
Answer Bowel will glisten (more than other tissue) and you will be able to see
peristalsis.
While placing the needle for a paracentesis, how would you know that you are in the
peritoneal cavity? - Answer loss of resistance will be felt
Paracentesis procedure:
a. Grasp syringe with (_) hand
b. Rest (_) surface of (_) hand on patient's abdomen, and use (_) of this hand to steady
shaft of needle
c. Keep nondominant hand in this position during needle advancement and continue to
hold the (_) - Answer a. dominant
b. dorsal; nondominant; thumb and index finger
c. nondominant; shaft of needle
