Biopsy: Bone and Lymph

Question 1

How should a patient be positioned for a bone biopsy?

Answer 1

• Supine: if sample is being taken from sternum (rare) or anterior iliac crest
• Prone: if sample is being taken from posterior iliac crest

Question 2

How long does a bone biopsy take?

Answer 2

• 20-30 mins

Question 3

What are some possible adverse s/s post bone biopsy?

Answer 3

• Bone pain
• Infection, redness, swelling, fever
• Drainage from site (report immediately)

Question 4

What are the nursing procedures in preparing a patient for a bone biopsy?

Answer 4

• Ensure education is understood and consent is signed
• Record VS
• Have client void
• Position patient

Question 5

What are the nursing procedures for the patient post bone biopsy?

Answer 5

• Apply pressure to puncture site for 5-10mins
• Apply dressing to puncture site and monitor for bleeding, leakage and infection for 24hrs
• May have pt lie on biopsy side for an hour (saw this point in TB) post procedure
• Assess VS and compare to pre-procedure readings

Question 6

What is a sentinel node biopsy?

Answer 6

• a surgical procedure that doctors use to stage (determine the extent of spread of) certain types of cancer in patients who have been recently diagnosed with cancer

Question 7

Sentinel node biopsy is most commonly used to stage what two cancers?

Answer 7

• Breast
• Malignant melanoma

Question 8

What are the 3 methods of lymph node biopsies?

Answer 8

• Fine needle: to take a sample of cells
• Core needle: to take a sample of tissue (size of a grain of rice)
• Open (surgical): to remove lymph node(s)

Question 9

The surgical removal of more than one lymph node is called a

Answer 9

• Lymph node dissection

Question 10

Explain the types of anesthesia used for lymph node biopsy.

Answer 10

• Local: for superficial lymph nodes or bone biopsies
• General: for deep lymph node dissection

Question 11

Why would a pt that had undergone a lymph biopsy have a sore throat?

Answer 11

• If they were intubated while under general anesthesia

Question 12

True or False
For a bone biopsy, you can use an ice pack or take an aspirin to help relieve swelling and mild pain.

Answer 12

• False, ice is ok, but you should use NSAIDs rather than aspirin as increases chance of bleeding

Question 13

Bone biopsy tenderness should go away in about ______ , bruising usually fades _____ , and firmness and swelling should dissipate in _____.

Answer 13

• A week
• Within 2wks
• About 6-8wks

Question 14

What should be reported to the doctor post biopsy?

Answer 14

• Leakage from site
• Signs of infection: fever, Increased redness, swelling, etc
• Fluid buildup at lymph node removal sites
• Numbness in the skin near the biopsy site as this his may be caused by nerve damage.