A nurse is caring for a client who has a chest tube connected to a closed drainage system and needs to be transported to the x-ray department. Which of the following actions should the nurse take?
Disconnect the chest tube from the drainage system during transport.
Empty the collection chamber prior to transport.
Clamp the chest tube prior to transferring the client to a wheelchair.
Keep the drainage system below the level of the client's chest at all times.
The Correct Answer is D
Keeping the drainage system below the level of the client's chest prevents backflow of fluid or air into the
pleural space and maintains negative pressure in the system.
a) Disconnecting the chest tube from the drainage system during transport is dangerous and can cause pneumothorax, infection, or bleeding. The chest tube should remain connected to the drainage system at all times unless ordered by the provider.
b) Emptying the collection chamber prior to transport is unnecessary and can interfere with accurate measurement of drainage. The collection chamber should be emptied only when it is full or at the end of each shift.
c) Clamping the chest tube prior to transferring the client to a wheelchair is contraindicated and can cause tension pneumothorax, as it prevents air from escaping the pleural space. The chest tube should only be clamped for a brief period when changing the drainage system or checking for air leaks, and only with a provider's order.

Nursing Test Bank
Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams
Related Questions
Correct Answer is C
Explanation
Agitation is a sign of hypoxemia, as the brain is deprived of oxygen and becomes irritable and restless.
The other options are not correct because:
- Nausea is not a specific manifestation of hypoxemia, as it can have many other causes such as medication side effects, gastrointestinal disorders, or anxiety.
- Dysphagia is difficulty swallowing, which is not related to hypoxemia or asthma. It can be caused by neurological, muscular, or structural problems in the throat or esophagus.
- Hypotension is low blood pressure, which is not a typical manifestation of hypoxemia or asthma. It can be caused by dehydration, blood loss, shock, or heart failure.

Correct Answer is A
Explanation
Radiation therapy can cause immunosuppression, which increases the risk of infection. The nurse should monitor the client for signs of infection such as fever, chills, malaise, or purulent drainage.
- Examine the skin for generalized urticaria. This is not a common side effect of radiation therapy, as urticaria is an allergic reaction that causes hives or welts on the skin. Radiation therapy can cause localized skin irritation, erythema, or dryness, but not generalized urticaria.
- Review laboratory test results for low hemoglobin. This is not a direct effect of radiation therapy, as hemoglobin is a component of red blood cells that carries oxygen in the blood. Radiation therapy can cause anemia, which is a low number of red blood cells, but not necessarily low hemoglobin.
- Monitor the mouth for signs of xerostomia. This is not relevant for a client who receives radiation therapy to treat lung cancer, as xerostomia is dry mouth caused by reduced salivary gland function. This can occur in clients who receive radiation therapy to treat head and neck cancer, but not lung cancer.

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