What procedure should the nurse anticipate for Patrick if a pancreatic pseudocyst is suspected?

When a pancreatic pseudocyst is suspected, the most appropriate procedure to anticipate is CT-guided percutaneous drainage. This is because a pancreatic pseudocyst, which is a common complication of pancreatitis, can lead to significant symptoms or complications such as infection, pain, or obstruction.

CT-guided percutaneous drainage allows for accurate localization and drainage of the pseudocyst using imaging guidance, which is essential for both diagnosis and therapeutic management. This procedure is minimally invasive, reduces the risks associated with surgery, and can effectively relieve symptoms by removing the fluid collection.

While other procedures like endoscopic biopsy or laparoscopy can be used in different contexts, they are not the first-line approach for managing a suspected pancreatic pseudocyst. Endoscopic biopsy is primarily for tissue sampling and would not address a fluid-filled cyst, while laparoscopy is an invasive procedure that may not be necessary when less invasive options are available.

MRI can provide detailed imaging of the pancreas and surrounding structures, but it is not typically used as the first step in managing suspected pseudocysts. Instead, CT imaging is more commonly performed to assess the situation and guide the drainage procedure. Thus, CT-guided percutaneous drainage is the logical and preferred choice in this scenario.