A nurse is caring for a client with a chest tube in place for treatment of a hemothorax. The nurse should prioritize which nursing intervention when caring for this client?

Empty the drainage from the pleuravac at the end of each shift.

Report serosanguinous drainage in the pleuravac.

Milk the chest tube every 4 hours to dislodge clotted blood.

Assist with coughing and deep breathing exercises every hour.

Answer and Explanation

The Correct Answer is D

A. Empty the drainage from the pleuravac at the end of each shift: This is not a standard practice. Chest tube drainage systems typically have a built-in mechanism to handle drainage, and monitoring and recording the output is essential.

B. Report serosanguinous drainage in the pleuravac: Serosanguinous drainage (a mix of blood and serous fluid) can be expected in a hemothorax, especially initially. Reporting is necessary if there are significant changes in the amount or type of drainage.

C. Milk the chest tube every 4 hours to dislodge clotted blood: Milking or stripping the chest tube is generally not recommended as it can create high negative pressures that can damage lung tissue.

D. Assist with coughing and deep breathing exercises every hour: Encouraging coughing and deep breathing helps prevent atelectasis and promotes lung expansion, which is crucial for recovery from a hemothorax.

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Correct Answer is D

Explanation

A. Client develops petechiae on the arms, legs, and abdomen: Petechiae can indicate thrombocytopenia, which may be a complication of heparin therapy but is not an urgent concern unless severe or associated with bleeding.

B. Health care provider orders Coumadin 2.5 mg P.O. to begin today: Coumadin (warfarin) is often initiated as a bridge therapy or overlap with heparin therapy in pulmonary embolism management. This order is not necessarily inappropriate and may be part of the treatment plan.

C. Client develops slight ecchymosis at the venipuncture site: Ecchymosis at the venipuncture site can occur due to minor trauma during the insertion of IV lines or blood draws and is not necessarily indicative of a complication requiring immediate notification of the healthcare provider.

D. Client's partial thromboplastin time (PTT) is 70 seconds and the control is 25-40 seconds: A significantly elevated PTT indicates a potential overdose of heparin, putting the client at risk of bleeding complications. This finding warrants immediate notification of the healthcare provider for further evaluation and possible adjustment of heparin therapy.

A. Encourage mouth care before and after meals. B. Monitor the client for changes in mental status. C. Assess the client's laboratory work for increased calcium levels. D. Advise the client to keep a food diary. E. Instruct the client to drink extra fluids between meals.

Correct Answer is ["A","B","D","E"]

Explanation

A. Encouraging mouth care before and after meals helps maintain oral hygiene, which is essential for appetite stimulation and preventing oral infections.

B. Monitoring the client for changes in mental status is important as malnutrition can lead to cognitive impairment and changes in mental status.

C. Assessing the client's laboratory work for increased calcium levels may not be directly related to malnutrition due to cancer. Elevated calcium levels are more commonly associated with conditions like hyperparathyroidism or certain cancers, but it's not typically a direct consequence of malnutrition.

D. Advising the client to keep a food diary helps track food intake, identify any patterns related to malnutrition, and guide dietary interventions.

E. Instructing the client to drink extra fluids between meals helps prevent dehydration, especially if the client's intake is compromised due to malnutrition or cancer-related treatments.

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A nurse is caring for a client with a chest tube in place for treatment of a hemothorax. The nurse should prioritize which nursing intervention when caring for this client?

Nursing Test Bank

Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams

A nurse is caring for a client diagnosed with a pulmonary embolism that is placed on a continuous heparin infusion. The nurse should notify the health care provider for which of the following findings?

Correct Answer is D

Explanation

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Correct Answer is ["A","B","D","E"]

Explanation

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