A nurse is assessing a client who is 1 day postoperative following a lobectomy and has a chest tube drainage system in place. Which of the following findings by the nurse indicates a need for intervention?

Choice A reason: Narrowed pulse pressure is not a specific manifestation of pneumonia in the older adult client. Pulse pressure is the difference between the systolic and diastolic blood pressure readings. A normal pulse pressure is about 40 mm Hg, and a narrowed pulse pressure is less than 25 mm Hg. A narrowed pulse pressure can indicate various conditions, such as heart failure, shock, or aortic stenosis, but it is not a sign of pneumonia.

Choice B reason: Night sweats are not a common manifestation of pneumonia in the older adult client. Night sweats are episodes of excessive sweating during sleep that can soak the bedding or clothing. Night sweats can have many causes, such as menopause, infections, medications, or cancer, but they are not typically associated with pneumonia.

Choice C reason: Bradycardia is not a usual manifestation of pneumonia in the older adult client. Bradycardia is a slow heart rate, defined as less than 60 beats per minute. Bradycardia can be normal in some people, such as athletes or those who are very fit, or it can be a sign of a problem with the heart's electrical system. Pneumonia does not cause bradycardia, but it can cause tachycardia, which is a fast heart rate, due to the increased oxygen demand and inflammation.

Choice D reason: Confusion is a frequent manifestation of pneumonia in the older adult client. Confusion is a state of impaired awareness, orientation, memory, or judgment. Confusion can occur in older adults with pneumonia due to several factors, such as hypoxia, dehydration, electrolyte imbalance, fever, or infection. Confusion can also increase the risk of complications, such as aspiration, falls, or delirium. Therefore, the nurse should monitor the mental status of the older adult client with pneumonia and report any changes to the provider..

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.