A nurse is assisting with the care of a client who has a chest tube.
Which of the following actions should the nurse take?
Strip the client’s chest tube every 2 hours.
Loop the tubing of the chest tube on the client’s bed.
Place the chest tube drainage system above the level of the client’s heart.
Tape the connections on the client’s chest tube.
The Correct Answer is D
Choice A rationale:
Stripping the client’s chest tube every 2 hours is not recommended. Stripping can create high negative pressures in the tube that can cause damage to the lung tissue. It can also lead to increased pain for the patient and is generally not a standard practice in chest tube management.
Choice B rationale:
Looping the tubing of the chest tube on the client’s bed is not a recommended practice. The chest tube should be free of loops or kinks to allow for proper drainage of air and fluid from the pleural space. Any loops or kinks in the tube can lead to accumulation of fluid or air, which can cause complications such as tension pneumothorax.
The chest tube drainage system should not be placed above the level of the client’s heart. This can lead to the backflow of blood or fluid into the pleural space, which can cause complications such as hemothorax or pleural effusion. The drainage system should always be kept below the level of the client’s chest to allow for gravity-assisted drainage.
Choice D rationale:
Taping the connections on the client’s chest tube is a recommended practice. This is done to secure the connections and prevent accidental disconnection or dislodgement of the tube. An accidental disconnection or dislodgement can lead to complications such as pneumothorax or hemothorax. Therefore, all connections should be securely taped to prevent any accidental disconnections.
Nursing Test Bank
Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams
Related Questions
Correct Answer is B
Explanation
Choice A rationale:
The statement “The pulse oximeter may not be accurate during periods of excessive movement” is correct. Pulse oximeters measure the amount of oxygen in the blood by shining light through the skin, and movement can cause the light to scatter, leading to inaccurate readings.
Choice B rationale:
The statement “We will inform the doctor if the pulse oximeter consistently reads 100%” indicates further instruction is needed. A pulse oximeter reading of 100% is not necessarily a cause for concern. It simply means that the hemoglobin is fully saturated with oxygen. However, if the oxygen level is consistently at 100%, it could indicate that the oxygen flow is too high and needs to be adjusted. It’s important to follow the healthcare provider’s instructions regarding the desired oxygen saturation level for the infant.
Choice C rationale:
The statement “The probe of the pulse oximeter can be attached to a finger or a toe” is correct. The probe of a pulse oximeter can indeed be attached to a finger, toe, or even an earlobe. The important thing is that it’s attached to a part of the body with good blood flow. Choice D rationale:
The statement “We will move the probe of the pulse oximeter every 24 hours” is correct. It’s important to move the probe periodically to prevent skin damage, such as pressure sores or burns, especially in infants who have delicate skin.
Correct Answer is D
Explanation
Choice A rationale:
Stripping the client’s chest tube every 2 hours is not recommended. Stripping can create high negative pressures in the tube that can cause damage to the lung tissue. It can also lead to increased pain for the patient and is generally not a standard practice in chest tube management.
Choice B rationale:
Looping the tubing of the chest tube on the client’s bed is not a recommended practice. The chest tube should be free of loops or kinks to allow for proper drainage of air and fluid from the pleural space. Any loops or kinks in the tube can lead to accumulation of fluid or air, which can cause complications such as tension pneumothorax.
The chest tube drainage system should not be placed above the level of the client’s heart. This can lead to the backflow of blood or fluid into the pleural space, which can cause complications such as hemothorax or pleural effusion. The drainage system should always be kept below the level of the client’s chest to allow for gravity-assisted drainage.
Choice D rationale:
Taping the connections on the client’s chest tube is a recommended practice. This is done to secure the connections and prevent accidental disconnection or dislodgement of the tube. An accidental disconnection or dislodgement can lead to complications such as pneumothorax or hemothorax. Therefore, all connections should be securely taped to prevent any accidental disconnections.
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