A client came into the emergency room with a possible myocardial infarction. The provider orders a series of blood tests to be drawn, which lab should the nurse anticipate will be drawn?

A. Immediately notify the provider . A rise in the water seal chamber with inspiration (tidaling) is a normal finding, indicating proper function of the chest drainage system. There is no need for immediate provider notification.
B. Clamp the chest tube near the water seal . Clamping the chest tube can lead to a tension pneumothorax by trapping air inside the pleural space. This action is only done temporarily for specific indications, such as assessing for an air leak or changing the drainage system.
C. Continue to monitor the client . Tidaling (fluctuation of water with inspiration and expiration) is expected in the water seal chamber. The nurse should continue to monitor for any sudden cessation of tidaling (which may indicate obstruction) or continuous bubbling (which may indicate an air leak).
D. Reposition the client toward the left side . Position changes do not affect normal tidaling in a functioning chest tube system. However, frequent repositioning is encouraged to promote lung expansion.

A. Sitting up and leaning over the bedside table (tripod position) helps maximize lung expansion, decreases work of breathing, and improves oxygenation in clients with COPD.
B. Fowler's position can help with breathing but does not provide as much relief as the tripod position.
C. A recliner may be comfortable but does not optimize lung expansion like the tripod position.
D. Lying prone is not beneficial for COPD patients and can make breathing more difficult.