The nurse is caring for a patient with pericarditis who develops hypotension, confusion, tachycardia, tachypnea, and jugular venous distension. For which procedure should the nurse prepare the patient?

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The patient's symptoms suggest cardiac tamponade, a complication of pericarditis where fluid accumulates in the pericardial sac, compressing the heart and impairing its function. Pericardiocentesis, the removal of fluid from the pericardial sac, is the appropriate procedure to relieve this condition.

The Nurse Is Caring for a Patient with Pericarditis Who