CPSS – CENTESIS TEST QUESTIONS
WITH CORRECT ANSWERS
What signs point to paracentesis? ANSWER: ascites, fresh onset, treatment
- diagnostic
Which conditions are generally contraindicated for paracentesis? The answer is
coagulopathy.
Overlapping defects in anatomy or infection
enlarged abdominal organs, such as the megacolon and ileus
Surgical scars: Bowel attachments possible
T/F: is it usual practice to perform a paracentesis utilizing a US? ANSWER
TRUE
Which method works best for paracentesis? Why? ANSWER Lateral
Because it is simpler to prevent bowel perforation when the patient is supine,
the fluid will pool to the posterior wall.
For a paracentesis, how should the patient be positioned? ANSWER Pt in a
supine position or with their head raised 10–30 degrees
(The lecture picture indicates 30-45 degrees.)
What should you watch out for when performing a paracentesis utilizing the
anterior approach? The inferior epigastric arteries should be avoided.
T/F: Is a paracentesis regarded as a fully sterile procedure, even though the
practitioner also needs to wear a gown? ANSWER FALSE: Sterile approach,
but complete scrub in (or gown in) is not required.
, What direction should the skin be pulled when the needle is inserted for a
paracentesis? The caudad of the answer (about 1-2 cm)
What will fluid look like on a US? ANSWER: dark, anechoic, or hypoechoic
The needle will drain in this location!
Before doing a paracentesis, how can one identify and find the bowel in a US?
ANSWER Peristalsis will be seen, and the bowel will shine more than other
tissues.
How can you determine if you are in the peritoneal cavity when placing the
needle for a paracentesis? ANSWER Resistance will be reduced.
Procedure for paracentesis: a. Hold the syringe in the (_) hand; b. Place the (_)
hand's surface on the patient's abdomen and use the (_) of this hand to stabilize
the needle shaft; c. Hold the (_) hand in this position as the needle advances.
The thumb and index finger are nondominant, b. dorsal, c. dominant, and the
needle shaft is nondominant.
For a paracentesis, what kind of drainage tubing is utilized? ANSWER
Drainage tubing under high pressure
T/F: Do you want to put the paracentesis needle into the local anesthetic's
wheal? ANSWER TRUE
When doing a paracentesis, what should be done immediately after inserting the
needle? After moving the needle each time until the fluid pocket is reached, you
wish to aspirate.
T/F: To guarantee that all fluid is drained during a paracentesis, you want to
push the catheter flush with the skin all the way through. - FALSE ANSWER
It is preferable to keep the catheter partially out rather than pierce the colon or
another visceral organ.
WITH CORRECT ANSWERS
What signs point to paracentesis? ANSWER: ascites, fresh onset, treatment
- diagnostic
Which conditions are generally contraindicated for paracentesis? The answer is
coagulopathy.
Overlapping defects in anatomy or infection
enlarged abdominal organs, such as the megacolon and ileus
Surgical scars: Bowel attachments possible
T/F: is it usual practice to perform a paracentesis utilizing a US? ANSWER
TRUE
Which method works best for paracentesis? Why? ANSWER Lateral
Because it is simpler to prevent bowel perforation when the patient is supine,
the fluid will pool to the posterior wall.
For a paracentesis, how should the patient be positioned? ANSWER Pt in a
supine position or with their head raised 10–30 degrees
(The lecture picture indicates 30-45 degrees.)
What should you watch out for when performing a paracentesis utilizing the
anterior approach? The inferior epigastric arteries should be avoided.
T/F: Is a paracentesis regarded as a fully sterile procedure, even though the
practitioner also needs to wear a gown? ANSWER FALSE: Sterile approach,
but complete scrub in (or gown in) is not required.
, What direction should the skin be pulled when the needle is inserted for a
paracentesis? The caudad of the answer (about 1-2 cm)
What will fluid look like on a US? ANSWER: dark, anechoic, or hypoechoic
The needle will drain in this location!
Before doing a paracentesis, how can one identify and find the bowel in a US?
ANSWER Peristalsis will be seen, and the bowel will shine more than other
tissues.
How can you determine if you are in the peritoneal cavity when placing the
needle for a paracentesis? ANSWER Resistance will be reduced.
Procedure for paracentesis: a. Hold the syringe in the (_) hand; b. Place the (_)
hand's surface on the patient's abdomen and use the (_) of this hand to stabilize
the needle shaft; c. Hold the (_) hand in this position as the needle advances.
The thumb and index finger are nondominant, b. dorsal, c. dominant, and the
needle shaft is nondominant.
For a paracentesis, what kind of drainage tubing is utilized? ANSWER
Drainage tubing under high pressure
T/F: Do you want to put the paracentesis needle into the local anesthetic's
wheal? ANSWER TRUE
When doing a paracentesis, what should be done immediately after inserting the
needle? After moving the needle each time until the fluid pocket is reached, you
wish to aspirate.
T/F: To guarantee that all fluid is drained during a paracentesis, you want to
push the catheter flush with the skin all the way through. - FALSE ANSWER
It is preferable to keep the catheter partially out rather than pierce the colon or
another visceral organ.
