The procedure described as draining fluid from the pericardial space using a long needle and indwelling catheter is tube pericardiostomy.

The procedure described as draining fluid from the pericardial space using a long needle and indwelling catheter is tube pericardiostomy.

• A. True
• B. False
• C. Not sure
• D. Pericardiocentesis

Answer: (A)

The concept here is distinguishing how drainage of the pericardial space is achieved. When fluid is removed and a long needle access is used but a catheter remains in place for ongoing drainage, that setup is a tube drainage procedure of the pericardium—tube pericardiostomy. Pericardiocentesis refers to needle aspiration, typically without leaving a drainage tube. Since the description includes an indwelling catheter for continued drainage, it matches tube pericardiostomy. If it were just a one-time needle withdrawal without a drain, it would be pericardiocentesis.

The concept here is distinguishing how drainage of the pericardial space is achieved. When fluid is removed and a long needle access is used but a catheter remains in place for ongoing drainage, that setup is a tube drainage procedure of the pericardium—tube pericardiostomy. Pericardiocentesis refers to needle aspiration, typically without leaving a drainage tube. Since the description includes an indwelling catheter for continued drainage, it matches tube pericardiostomy. If it were just a one-time needle withdrawal without a drain, it would be pericardiocentesis.