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 C

Explanation

Choice A reason: Changing tracheostomy ties every 48 hours maintains hygiene but is less critical than airway patency. Ties secure the tube, but obstruction from mucus or dislodgement risks respiratory failure. Regular patency checks ensure airflow, addressing the primary physiological need for oxygenation in tracheostomy care.

Choice B reason: Routine suctioning every 2 hours is unnecessary unless secretions obstruct the airway. Over-suctioning risks mucosal trauma or hypoxia. Assessing patency ensures the airway remains clear, guiding suctioning as needed, prioritizing respiratory function in tracheostomy clients over arbitrary suction schedules.

Choice C reason: Assessing airway patency every shift is critical, as tracheostomy tubes risk obstruction from mucus or dislodgement, causing respiratory distress. Regular checks confirm airflow, preventing hypoxia, addressing the physiological priority of oxygenation. This ensures timely intervention, maintaining airway integrity in clients with artificial airways.

Choice D reason: Cleaning the inner cannula daily prevents infection but is secondary to airway patency. Obstruction from secretions or tube displacement causes immediate respiratory failure. Patency assessment ensures airflow, guiding cleaning as needed, making it more urgent than routine cannula maintenance in tracheostomy care.

A. Administer a PRN narcotic. B. Ask the husband to step out. C. Have delivery table set up. D. Notify rapid response team.

Correct Answer is C

Explanation

Choice A reason: Administering a PRN narcotic at 9 cm dilation is inappropriate, as labor is in transition, nearing delivery. Narcotics risk fetal respiratory depression, crossing the placenta, especially with a stable fetal heart rate (120 beats/minute). Preparing for imminent delivery is critical, prioritizing a safe birth environment over pain relief.

Choice B reason: Asking the husband to leave does not address the client’s advanced labor (9 cm, 100% effaced, frequent contractions). His presence may provide support, and removal could increase distress. Setting up the delivery table is urgent, as birth is imminent, ensuring a sterile, safe environment for delivery.

Choice C reason: At 9 cm dilation, 100% effacement, and contractions every 2 minutes, the client is in transition, with delivery imminent. Setting up the delivery table ensures readiness for vaginal birth, providing a sterile field and equipment, addressing the physiological progression of labor for safe delivery of the newborn.

Choice D reason: Notifying the rapid response team is unnecessary, as the fetal heart rate (120 beats/minute) is normal (110–160), and screaming reflects labor pain. Delivery is imminent, making table setup the priority to facilitate safe birth, avoiding escalation to emergency response for a normal labor progression.

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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?

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The nurse is caring for a client with a new tracheostomy. Which action is most important to include in the client’s plan of care?

Correct Answer is C

Explanation

A primigravida at 40 weeks gestation is contracting every 2 minutes, and her cervix is 9 cm dilated and 100% effaced. The fetal heart rate is 120 beats/minute. The client is screaming and her husband is alarmed. Which intervention should the nurse implement?

Correct Answer is C

Explanation

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