During assessment of a patient with obstructive jaundice, the nurse would expect to find:

Before the Study: Planning and Implementation

Teaching the Patient What to Expect

• Inform the patient this procedure can assist in assessing the bile ducts of the gallbladder and pancreas.
• Explain that prior to the procedure, laboratory testing may be required to determine the possibility of bleeding risk (coagulation testing).
• Pregnancy is a general contraindication to procedures involving radiation. Explain to the female patient that she may be asked the date of her last menstrual period. Pregnancy testing may be performed in accordance with the facility’s imaging policies and when related imaging studies will be obtained (e.g., abdominal x-ray).
• Explain that the liver is a vascular organ; therefore, a blood type and screen may be ordered for possible transfusion in the event of bleeding.
• Explain that since percutaneous bile drainage may have infected bile, an antibiotic will be administered at least 1 hr before the procedure to avoid spreading the infection to other parts of the body.
• Review the procedure with the patient.
• Explain that there may be moments of discomfort or pain experienced when the IV line or catheter is inserted to allow infusion of fluids such as saline, anesthetics, sedatives, contrast medium, medications used in the procedure, or emergency medications.
• Explain that contrast medium will be injected, by catheter, at a separate site from the IV line.
• Advise that a burning and flushing sensation may be felt throughout the body during injection of the contrast medium, and the patient may experience an urge to cough, flushing, nausea, or a salty or metallic taste.
• Explain that the procedure takes 45 to 60 min and is usually performed in the radiology department.
• Ensure removal of jewelry and other metallic objects from the area of examination.
• Baseline vital signs will be recorded and monitored throughout the procedure. Protocols may vary among facilities.
• Adhere to organizational policies and the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) quality measures regarding administration of prophylactic antibiotics. Administer ordered prophylactic antibiotics 1 hr before incision, and use antibiotics that are consistent with current guidelines specific to the procedure.
• Explain that positioning for this procedure is in the supine position on a tilting examination table where a kidney, ureter, and bladder (KUB) or plain film is taken to ensure that no stool or barium from a previous study will obscure visualization of the biliary system.
• Tell the patient they will be instructed to inhale deeply and hold their breath as the needle is inserted. An area over the upper right quadrant of the abdomen is prepped and draped and local anesthetic is given to the abdominal wall. The needle is inserted and advanced under fluoroscopic guidance. Contrast medium is injected when placement is confirmed by the free flow of bile.
• Explain that a bile specimen may be sent to the laboratory for culture and cytological analysis.
• Advise that if an obstruction is found during the procedure, a catheter is inserted into the bile duct to allow drainage of bile.
• Explain that at the end of the procedure, the contrast medium is aspirated from the biliary ducts, relieving pressure on the dilated ducts. A closed and sterile drainage system will be established if a catheter is left in place.
• Recommend taking slow, deep breaths if nausea occurs during the procedure. An ordered antiemetic drug can be administered as needed. An emesis basin can be ready for use.
• Explain to the patient they will be monitored for complications related to the procedure (e.g., allergic reaction, anaphylaxis, bronchospasm).
• Explain that once the study is completed, the needle or catheter is removed, and a pressure dressing is applied over the puncture site.

Potential Nursing Actions

Make sure a written and informed consent has been signed prior to the procedure and before administering any medications.

Safety Considerations

• Anticoagulants, aspirin, and other salicylates should be discontinued by medical direction for the appropriate number of days prior to a procedure where bleeding is a potential complication.

After the Study: Potential Nursing Actions (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({});

Avoiding Complications

• PTC, establishing an IV site, and injection of contrast medium are invasive procedures. Complications are rare but include risk for allergic reaction (related to contrast reaction), bile peritonitis, bleeding from the puncture site (related to a bleeding disorder or the effects of natural products and medications with known anticoagulant, antiplatelet, or thrombolytic properties), extravasation of bile, hematoma (related to blood leakage into the tissue following needle insertion), hemoperitoneum, infection (which might occur if bacteria from the skin surface is introduced at the puncture site), tissue damage (related to extravasation or leaking of contrast into the tissues during injection), nerve injury or damage to a nearby organ (which might occur if the needle strikes a nerve or perforates an organ), nephrotoxicity (a deterioration of renal function associated with contrast administration), and septicemia.
• Monitor the patient for complications related to the procedure (e.g., allergic reaction, anaphylaxis, bronchospasm, infection, injury).
• Immediately report symptoms such as difficulty breathing, chest pain, fever, hyperpnea, hypertension, nausea, palpitations, pruritus, rash, tachycardia, urticaria, or vomiting to the appropriate HCP.
• Observe/assess the needle/catheter insertion site for bleeding, inflammation, or hematoma formation.
• Administer ordered antihistamines or prophylactic steroids if the patient has an allergic reaction.

Treatment Considerations

• Do not allow the patient to eat or drink for several hours after the procedure as a precaution in the event a return to surgery is required related to postprocedural bleeding. If no complications present, the patient can resume usual diet, fluids, medications, and activity as directed by the HCP.
• Symptoms of bleeding to monitor for are hypotension, tachycardia, confusion with altered level of consciousness, pallor, anxiety and restlessness, shortness of breath.
• Pressure should be maintained over the needle insertion site for several hours if bleeding is persistent. The patient may be placed in the right decubitus position for the first hour, followed by placement in the supine position for an additional 2 to 3 hr in order to avoid significant post procedural bleeding.
• Observe/assess the puncture site for signs of bleeding, hematoma formation, inflammation, ecchymosis, or leakage of bile. Notify the HCP if any of these is present.
• Follow organizational post-procedure vital sign and assessment protocol. Protocols may require monitoring vital signs and neurological status every 15 min for 1 hr, then every 2 hr for 4 hr, and as ordered. Take temperature every 4 hr for 24 hr. Monitor intake and output at least every 8 hr. Compare with baseline values. Notify the HCP if temperature is elevated. Protocols may vary among facilities.

Followup Evaluation and Desired Outcomes

• Generally no specific postprocedural care is required. The complication rate is relatively low and most complications, such as discomfort at the puncture site, are of limited duration.
• Demonstrates proficiency in the care of the site and dressing changes.
• Agrees to follow therapeutic management guidelines related to medical diagnosis.