A nurse is caring for a client who has a three-chamber closed chest tube system. Which of the following actions should the nurse take after noticing a rise in the water seal chamber with client inspiration?
Immediately notify the provider.
Clamp the chest tube near the water seal.
Continue to monitor the client.
Reposition the client toward the left side.
The Correct Answer is C
Continuing to monitor the client is the appropriate action for the nurse to take, as a rise in the water seal chamber with client inspiration is a normal and expected finding. The water seal chamber acts as a one-way valve that allows air to exit from the pleural space and prevents air from entering. The water level in this chamber fluctuates with breathing, rising with inspiration and falling with expiration. This indicates that the chest tube system is functioning properly and that there is no air leak.
a) Immediately notifying the provider is not necessary, as a rise in the water seal chamber with client inspiration is not an abnormal or urgent finding. The nurse should only notify the provider if there are signs of complications, such as persistent bubbling in the water seal chamber, which indicates an air leak, or no fluctuation in the water level, which indicates an obstruction or resolution of pneumothorax.
b) Clamping the chest tube near the water seal is not advisable, as it can cause increased pressure in the pleural space and lead to tension pneumothorax. Clamping the chest tube should only be done for a brief period of time and under specific circumstances, such as changing the drainage system, assessing for an air leak, or preparing for chest tube removal.
d) Repositioning the client toward the left side is not helpful, as it does not affect the water level in the water seal chamber. The nurse should position the client according to their comfort and condition, and avoid placing them flat or on their affected side, as this can impair drainage and ventilation.
Nursing Test Bank
Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams
Related Questions
Correct Answer is C
Explanation
Heparin is an anticoagulant that prevents the formation of new clots and the extension of existing clots. It is the drug of choice for treating acute pulmonary embolism, which is a life-threatening condition caused by a blood clot that travels to the lungs and blocks a pulmonary artery.
a) Dexamethasone is a corticosteroid that reduces inflammation and suppresses immune response. It is not indicated for treating pulmonary embolism, but it may be used for other pulmonary conditions, such as asthma or COPD.
b) Atropine is an anticholinergic that blocks the action of acetylcholine and increases heart rate and cardiac output. It is not indicated for treating pulmonary embolism, but it may be used for bradycardia or asystole.
d) Furosemide is a loop diuretic that increases urine output and reduces fluid volume and blood pressure. It is not indicated for treating pulmonary embolism, but it may be used for heart failure or edema.
Correct Answer is ["A","B","D"]
Explanation
A. Dyspnea:
Dyspnea (shortness of breath) is a common symptom in emphysema due to the destruction of alveolar walls and the resulting reduction in surface area for gas exchange. As the disease progresses, the patient experiences increasing difficulty in breathing, especially during exertion or when the disease becomes more severe.
B. Barrel chest:
A barrel chest is often seen in emphysema, as it results from hyperinflation of the lungs. The increased air trapping due to damaged alveoli causes the chest to expand and become rounded, leading to the characteristic "barrel chest" appearance. This happens because the lungs are constantly overinflated, and the chest wall becomes rigid and rounded as a result.
D. Clubbing of the fingers:
Clubbing of the fingers can occur in chronic respiratory conditions like emphysema due to prolonged hypoxia (low oxygen levels in the blood). This is a compensatory mechanism that involves changes in the nails and fingers. The tips of the fingers become rounded and bulbous over time, and this is commonly associated with long-standing pulmonary diseases.
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