Effect of Nursing Guidelines Protocol on Paracentesis Complications

Background: Therapeutic paracentesis is helpful when alleviating abdominal discomfort and respiratory distress in liver cirrhotic patients with ascites. Aim of the study: To evaluate the effect of nursing guidelines protocol paracentesis complications. Research design: A quasi-experimental research design was adopted to conduct this study. Setting: This study was carried out in medical department at Aswan University Hospitals. Sample: The study sample were 60 adult patients who admitted to the previously mentioned settings and selected by convenience to two equal groups control and interventional group. Tools: Two tools were utilized in this study; Tool I: A structured interview questionnaire; Tool II: Observational check list about patients’ complications. Results: It was found that the most common early complications among studied patients were Pain at puncture site, Leakage of ascetic fluid from puncture site, Hypotension after large volume fluid removal in control group while in study group were Re-punctures, Pain at puncture site and Hypotension. Also, there is no statistically relation between the practice level and all demographic data among study group. Conclusion: The most common early complications among studied patients were Pain at puncture site, Leakage of ascetic fluid from puncture site, Hypotension after large volume fluid removal in control group.