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.
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.
Nursing Test Bank
Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams
Related Questions
Correct Answer is A
Explanation
Choice A reason: Acetaminophen is hepatotoxic, metabolized by the liver via cytochrome P450 to NAPQI, which depletes glutathione, causing necrosis in hepatitis. A compromised liver from alcohol or viral hepatitis increases toxicity risk, even at standard doses. Contacting the provider ensures safer analgesics, preventing further liver damage in this high-risk client.
Choice B reason: Olanzapine, an antipsychotic, manages schizophrenia by blocking dopamine D2 receptors. It is metabolized by the liver but has low hepatotoxicity risk compared to acetaminophen in hepatitis. No immediate contraindication exists, as it controls psychosis without significantly worsening liver function, making it safe to administer without delay.
Choice C reason: Thiamine (vitamin B1) is essential in hepatitis, particularly with alcohol abuse, preventing Wernicke’s encephalopathy from deficient glucose metabolism. It is liver-safe and beneficial, supporting neurological function without toxicity. Administering thiamine is appropriate, making it unnecessary to contact the provider before implementation.
Choice D reason: Ondansetron, an antiemetic, controls nausea in hepatitis via serotonin 5-HT3 receptor blockade. It is metabolized by the liver but has minimal hepatotoxicity, safe in liver disease. No contraindication exists, as it alleviates symptoms without worsening hepatitis, unlike acetaminophen, which poses significant liver risk.
Correct Answer is D
Explanation
Choice A reason: Discontinuing the nasal cannula is inappropriate, as 94% SpO₂ indicates mild hypoxemia from pneumonia, requiring oxygen to support alveolar diffusion. The rash likely results from cannula pressure, not oxygen delivery. Padding addresses the rash without compromising respiratory support, ensuring continued therapy.
Choice B reason: Decreasing to 1 L/minute may worsen hypoxemia in pneumonia, where inflamed alveoli impair gas exchange (SpO₂ 94%). The rash is from mechanical irritation, not flow rate. Padding relieves pressure, maintaining oxygen delivery to improve saturation, making flow reduction counterproductive to respiratory needs.
Choice C reason: Applying lubricant reduces friction but not pressure causing the red macular rash from prolonged cannula contact. Lubricants risk aspiration. Padding alleviates pressure points, preventing skin breakdown while maintaining oxygen for pneumonia, addressing the rash’s mechanical cause more effectively than lubrication.
Choice D reason: Placing padding around the cannula tubing relieves pressure on the cheek, preventing skin breakdown from the red macular rash. This maintains oxygen at 3 L/minute, critical for pneumonia’s hypoxemia, where inflamed alveoli reduce oxygen diffusion. Padding ensures skin integrity and respiratory support, addressing both issues effectively.
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