A nurse in a critical care unit is caring for a client who is postoperative following a right pneumonectomy. After extubation from the ventilator, in which of the following positions should the client be placed?

Choice A reason: Repositioning the client toward the left side is not necessary or helpful for a client who has a three-chamber closed chest tube system. The chest tube drainage system must always be placed below the drainage site and secured in an upright position to prevent it from being knocked over.

Choice B reason: Continuing to monitor the client is the appropriate action for the nurse to take after noticing a rise in the water seal chamber with client inspiration. The water in the water seal chamber should rise with inhalation and fall with exhalation (this is called tidaling), which demonstrates that the chest tube is patent. This is a normal finding and does not indicate a problem with the chest tube system or the client's condition.

Choice C reason: Clamping the chest tube near the water seal is not recommended for a client who has a three-chamber closed chest tube system. Clamping the chest tube can cause a buildup of air or fluid in the pleural space and increase the risk of complications such as tension pneumothorax or infection. Clamping the chest tube should only be done in certain situations, such as changing the drainage system, checking for an air leak, or removing the chest tube.

Choice D reason: Immediately notifying the provider is not necessary for a client who has a three-chamber closed chest tube system and shows a rise in the water seal chamber with client inspiration. As mentioned above, this is a normal finding and does not indicate a problem with the chest tube system or the client's condition. The nurse should only notify the provider if there are signs of complications, such as continuous bubbling in the water seal chamber, excessive drainage, chest pain, dyspnea, or subcutaneous emphysema.

Choice A reason: Administering an inhaled glucocorticoid is not the priority intervention for a child with status asthmaticus. Inhaled glucocorticoids are anti-inflammatory drugs that reduce airway inflammation and prevent asthma attacks, but they do not provide immediate relief of bronchoconstriction.

Choice B reason: Administering a short acting beta agonist (SABA) is the priority intervention for a child with status asthmaticus. SABAs are bronchodilators that relax the smooth muscles of the airways and improve airflow within minutes. They are the first line treatment for acute asthma symptoms and exacerbations.

Choice C reason: Determining the cause of the acute exacerbation is not the priority intervention for a child with status asthmaticus. While it is important to identify and avoid potential triggers of asthma, such as allergens, infections, or stress, this is not an urgent action during a severe asthma attack.

Choice D reason: Obtaining a peak flow reading is not the priority intervention for a child with status asthmaticus. Peak flow is a measure of how quickly the child can blow air out of the lungs, and it can indicate the degree of airway obstruction. However, peak flow measurement is not reliable or feasible during a severe asthma attack, and it should not delay the administration of bronchodilators.