🩺Cathy Explains - Paracentesis: Medical Surgical SHORT | @LevelUpRN

Added: 2026-06-02

[00:00:00]A paracentesis is a procedure where a needle is inserted through the abdominal wall to remove fluid from the peritoneal cavity. This can be done to alleviate respiratory distress in patients with ascites. It can also be done to obtain fluid for diagnostic purposes. Before the procedure, you need to have your patient empty their bladder. This prevents injury to the bladder during the procedure and this is highly tested on in nursing school.

[00:00:31]You also want to obtain your patient's vital signs, weight, and measure their abdominal girth before and after the procedure.