What is the rationale for placing the patient on the right side with a pillow under puncture site after a liver biopsy?

What is the rationale for placing the patient on the right side with a pillow under puncture site after a liver biopsy?

• A. To Improve Oxygenation
• B. To Place Pressure On Puncture Site
• C. To Reduce Pain
• D. To Prevent Infection

Answer: (B)

Placing the patient on the right side with a pillow under the biopsy site focuses on stopping bleeding. After a liver biopsy, the puncture tract can bleed since the liver is very vascular. Having the patient lie on the right side with a pillow under the puncture site helps tamponade the tract: the liver is pressed against the abdominal wall, and the external pressure helps vessels at the puncture site seal off, reducing the risk of hemorrhage. The pillow helps maintain steady, localized pressure and limits movement that could reopen the tract. While positioning may offer some comfort, the main reason is to minimize bleeding risk. Other options aren’t the primary goal here—improving oxygenation, preventing infection, or greatly reducing pain aren’t achieved by this specific positioning.

Placing the patient on the right side with a pillow under the biopsy site focuses on stopping bleeding. After a liver biopsy, the puncture tract can bleed since the liver is very vascular. Having the patient lie on the right side with a pillow under the puncture site helps tamponade the tract: the liver is pressed against the abdominal wall, and the external pressure helps vessels at the puncture site seal off, reducing the risk of hemorrhage. The pillow helps maintain steady, localized pressure and limits movement that could reopen the tract. While positioning may offer some comfort, the main reason is to minimize bleeding risk. Other options aren’t the primary goal here—improving oxygenation, preventing infection, or greatly reducing pain aren’t achieved by this specific positioning.