Assisting Bone Marrow Aspiration and Biopsy

Vocabulary and key concepts related to the procedure, equipment, and assessment for assisting with bone marrow aspiration and biopsy.

Aspiration

Removal of fluids to obtain a specimen.

Biopsy

Removal and examination of tissues.

Bone marrow

Spongy substance found inside the center of the bone.

Bone marrow aspiration/biopsy

Removal of a specimen of bone marrow for laboratory study.

Purpose of Bone Marrow Aspiration

Detection of specific disease of the blood.

Bone sites for adults

Sternum, iliac crest, anterior or posterior iliac spine, and posterior superior iliac crest.

Bone site for children

Proximal tibia.

Cancellous bone

Also known as spongy bone.

Anesthetic agent

A substance like Lidocaine used to numb the area before the procedure.

Aspiration Tray Syringes

Two $3\,ml$ sterile syringes with $23-25$ gauge needles.

Coagulation status assessment

Evaluation of use of anticoagulants, platelets count, and prothrombin time.

Trochar

A needle inserted into the body cavity by a physician to aspirate tissue for a specimen.

Eye towel

A sterile towel used for draping the site during the procedure.

Comfort Scale

A scale from $0$ to $10$ used by the client to describe their level of comfort during and after the procedure.

Post-procedural complications

Events such as decrease bp, tachycardia, flushing, itching, and urticaria.

Unexpected Outcome: Tenderness and Erythema

An outcome at the aspiration site often accompanied by decreased blood pressure and increased pulse.

Unexpected Outcome: Light-headedness

A condition occurring while sitting at the side of the bed after aspiration, requiring the client to be placed in a supine position.