Advanced Oncology Certified Nurse Practitioner (AOCNP) Certification Practice Test

Which of the following is an additional treatment for pericardial effusions?

1. Radiation therapy

2. Chemotherapy

3. Blind subxiphoid pericardiocentesis

4. Surgical removal of the heart

The correct answer is: Blind subxiphoid pericardiocentesis

The correct answer is blind subxiphoid pericardiocentesis, which is a minimally invasive procedure used to relieve pressure caused by excessive fluid accumulation in the pericardial sac surrounding the heart. Pericardial effusion can occur due to a variety of reasons, including malignancy, infection, or heart failure, and if the effusion is large or causing significant symptoms, it is often necessary to remove the fluid. Blind subxiphoid pericardiocentesis involves inserting a needle through the subxiphoid area to access the pericardial space without the need for imaging guidance. This can provide rapid symptom relief in acute situations and can also help determine the nature of the effusion by allowing sampling of the fluid. While radiation therapy and chemotherapy are important treatment modalities for malignancies that may contribute to pericardial effusions, they do not directly address the effusion itself. These treatments are aimed at reducing tumor burden or controlling disease progression, which may ultimately help in reducing the effusion over time, but are not immediate interventions for fluid removal. Surgical removal of the heart is not a viable treatment option for pericardial effusions and is not performed in clinical practice;