The nurse is preparing a patient for a pericardiocentesis for the treatment of cardiac tamponade. How should the patient be positioned?

Explanation

• The patient should be in the supine position, with the head of bed raised to 30-60 degrees. This allows for easier insertion of the needle under the xiphoid process into the pericardial sac.

• The other answer choices are incorrect for pericardiocentesis.

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