A client who had a radical neck dissection returns to the surgical unit with two surgical drains in the right side of the incision. One drain bulb is open and has minimal drainage. Which action should the nurse take to increase drainage into the drain?

Place the client in a right lateral side-lying position and elevate the head of the bed.

Compress the bulb with the tab open and then reinsert the tab into its opening.

Irrigate the drain tubing with 1 mL of NS, then close the opening with its tab.

Reinforce the incisional dressings and assess behind the neck for drainage.

Answer and Explanation

The Correct Answer is B

Choice A reason: Positioning right lateral with head elevation may shift fluid but does not restore drain suction. Compressing the bulb creates negative pressure, promoting drainage. Positioning is less effective, per surgical drain management and postoperative care standards in nursing practice.

Choice B reason: Compressing the bulb with the tab open, then reinserting it, restores negative pressure, enhancing drainage in the surgical drain. This ensures fluid removal, preventing hematoma or infection, per evidence-based surgical drain management and postoperative care protocols in nursing practice.

Choice C reason: Irrigating the drain with saline risks infection and is not standard for low drainage. Compressing the bulb restores suction, promoting drainage safely. Irrigation is inappropriate, per surgical drain management and infection control standards in postoperative nursing care.

Choice D reason: Reinforcing dressings and assessing drainage addresses symptoms, not the cause of low drainage. Compressing the bulb restores suction, increasing drainage effectively. Dressings are secondary, per surgical drain management and postoperative wound care protocols in nursing practice.

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Correct Answer is A

Explanation

Choice A reason: Increased JVD and pedal edema indicate fluid overload in heart failure, where reduced cardiac output causes venous congestion. Assessing breathing for dyspnea or crackles detects pulmonary edema, as fluid backs into alveoli, impairing gas exchange. This urgent finding guides interventions like diuretics, critical before reporting.

Choice B reason: Palpating pedal pulses assesses arterial flow, not fluid overload causing JVD and edema, which are venous issues in heart failure. Pulses may be normal despite congestion. Breathing changes indicate pulmonary edema, a life-threatening complication, making this assessment more critical for detecting acute decompensation.

Choice C reason: Assessing calf inflammation may detect thrombosis, a heart failure risk, but JVD and edema suggest fluid overload, not clotting. Breathing changes are more urgent, indicating pulmonary edema from alveolar fluid, requiring immediate intervention to prevent respiratory failure, unlike inflammation, which is less immediate.

Choice D reason: Inspecting peripheral vein distention confirms venous congestion but is less critical than breathing assessment. In heart failure, fluid overload risks pulmonary edema, where alveolar fluid causes dyspnea. Monitoring breathing detects this severe complication, prioritizing intervention to ensure oxygenation over additional venous assessment.

A. Question the client about related symptoms. B. Palpate the inguinal area for a bulge. C. Inspect the urethral meatus for abnormalities. D. Observe the scrotum for swelling.

Correct Answer is A

Explanation

Choice A reason: Questioning about related symptoms (e.g., urgency, frequency) clarifies nocturia and hesitancy, suggesting causes like benign prostatic hyperplasia. This comprehensive data guides targeted assessments, ensuring accurate diagnosis and treatment, per urological assessment and patient history standards in elderly male nursing care.

Choice B reason: Palpating for an inguinal bulge assesses hernia, unrelated to nocturia or hesitancy. Questioning related symptoms better identifies urinary issues, guiding diagnosis. Hernias are not primary causes, per urological assessment and differential diagnosis protocols in nursing care for urinary complaints.

Choice C reason: Inspecting the meatus for abnormalities or discharge may follow but is less comprehensive than symptom questioning, which broadens the urinary history. Symptoms like hesitancy suggest internal issues, per urological assessment and benign prostatic hyperplasia diagnostic standards in nursing practice for elderly men.

Choice D reason: Observing scrotal swelling assesses testicular issues, not directly linked to nocturia or hesitancy. Questioning symptoms like weak stream or dribbling prioritizes urinary tract evaluation, per urological and geriatric assessment protocols in nursing care for male urinary symptoms.

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A client who had a radical neck dissection returns to the surgical unit with two surgical drains in the right side of the incision. One drain bulb is open and has minimal drainage. Which action should the nurse take to increase drainage into the drain?

Nursing Test Bank

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Correct Answer is A

Explanation

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Correct Answer is A

Explanation

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