A nurse is caring for a client who has a tension pneumothorax. Which of the following manifestations should the nurse expect?

Rationale:

A. Compare the current infusion with the prescription in the client's medication record: The first action is to verify the actual prescription against the current IV infusion. This ensures that the client is receiving the correct medication, dose, and rate, and allows the nurse to identify any errors or discrepancies before taking further action.

B. Submit a written warning for the nurse involved in the incident: Disciplinary action is not appropriate as an initial step. The priority is client safety and verifying facts, not assigning blame. Investigations or corrective actions follow after assessment and verification.

C. Complete an incident report and place it in the client's medical record: Incident reports are used to document discrepancies or errors, but they should not be placed in the medical record. They are submitted to risk management or quality assurance separately. Filing in the medical record could create legal and confidentiality issues.

D. Contact the charge nurse to see if the prescription was changed: While notifying the charge nurse may be necessary, it should occur after verifying the prescription and confirming the discrepancy. Immediate assessment and comparison to the medication record take priority to ensure client safety.

Rationale for correct choices

• Inspect the child's oropharynx: Vomiting bright red emesis after tonsillectomy indicates possible postoperative hemorrhage. Immediate inspection of the oropharynx allows the nurse to assess the source, amount, and severity of bleeding. Prompt identification of bleeding is critical to prevent hypovolemic shock and guide urgent interventions.

• Obtaining a set of vital signs: Vital signs provide objective data about the child’s hemodynamic status. Tachycardia, hypotension, or altered respiratory rate may indicate significant blood loss. Monitoring blood pressure, heart rate, and oxygen saturation helps determine the urgency of treatment and guides fluid resuscitation or other emergency measures.

Rationale for incorrect choices

• Place the child in a supine position: Placing the child supine could worsen bleeding or increase the risk of aspiration if emesis occurs. Standard care is to maintain the child upright or sitting forward to allow drainage and minimize airway compromise. Supine positioning is not appropriate immediately after post-tonsillectomy bleeding.

• Offer the child a red popsicle: Red-colored foods or drinks can mask the presence of ongoing bleeding, delaying recognition of hemorrhage. It is unsafe to offer red popsicles until bleeding is ruled out and the child is stable. Non-red liquids or clear fluids are safer during assessment.

• Encouraging the child to cough and deep breathe: While coughing and deep breathing are important for postoperative respiratory care, they are contraindicated if active bleeding is suspected. Coughing could dislodge clots and exacerbate hemorrhage. Airway safety and hemodynamic assessment take priority.

• Requesting a prescription for codeine: Administering codeine for pain is inappropriate in the presence of suspected bleeding because opioids can mask symptoms and depress respirations. Pain management should be secondary to stabilization and assessment of hemorrhage risk.