A charge nurse is teaching new staff members about factors that increase a client's risk to become violent. Which of the following risk factors should the nurse include as the best predictor of future violence?

A. Reevaluating for an ET cuff leak is important but not the immediate priority when the cause of the alarm is unknown, and the client is in distress. It is more important to ensure the client is receiving adequate ventilation.

B. Assessing for disconnected tubing is essential, but if the cause of the high-pressure alarm is unclear and the client is in distress, manual ventilation should take precedence.

C. When a high-pressure alarm sounds on a mechanical ventilator and the cause is not immediately identifiable, the nurse should prioritize the client's safety by delivering breaths manually with a resuscitation bag. This ensures that the client continues to receive oxygen while troubleshooting the ventilator issue. Manual ventilation is crucial in preventing hypoxia during periods of mechanical failure or when the cause of the alarm cannot be quickly identified.

D. Decreasing the ventilator flow rate may not address the underlying issue causing the high-pressure alarm and could potentially worsen the situation. Immediate manual ventilation is the safest action.

A. Clamping the chest tube during ambulation can lead to increased intrathoracic pressure, which may cause tension pneumothorax or other complications. Chest tubes should remain unclamped to maintain proper drainage. However, it may be done briefly during tube changes or if there is a suspected air leak, always under specific medical orders.
B. Burning pain in the chest could indicate complications such as infection or irritation at the insertion site. Reporting this symptom to the provider allows for timely assessment and intervention.
C. A loose dressing around the chest tube can compromise the integrity of the system, leading to air leaks or contamination. Reinforcing the dressing helps maintain a sterile environment and prevents dislodgement of the tube.
D. Maintaining the appropriate water seal level in the chest drainage system is essential for proper functioning. This prevents air from entering the pleural space while allowing drainage to occur effectively.
E. Stripping or milking the chest tube is no longer a recommended practice as it can cause damage to the tissues and lead to airway obstruction or clot formation. Instead, gentle manipulation or rotation of the tubing may be done if there are signs of occlusion, but routine stripping is not recommended