Postbone marrow biopsy nursing care includes which single most essential action?

• A. Administering analgesics as necessary
• B. Preparing to administer a blood transfusion
• C. Instructing on need to lie still with a sterile pressure dressing intact
• D. Monitoring vital signs and assessing the site for excess drainage or bleeding

Answer: (D)

After a bone marrow biopsy, the highest priority is protecting the patient from bleeding and recognizing problems early. The most essential nursing action is to monitor vital signs and closely inspect the biopsy site for any excess drainage or bleeding. This combination provides real-time evidence of how well the patient is maintaining hemostasis and lets you intervene quickly if bleeding begins, preventing a more serious hemorrhagic complication.

While giving analgesics and keeping a sterile pressure dressing in place are important for comfort and wound protection, they don’t directly address the immediate risk of occult bleeding. Preparing to transfuse blood is not a routine step and would only come into play if significant bleeding or severe anemia developed. Continuous assessment for bleeding is what directly safeguards the patient’s stability after the procedure.