A nurse is caring for a postoperative client. Which intervention should the nurse identify as important to prevent postoperative pulmonary complications?
Place suction equipment at the bedside.
Administer a prophylactic expectorant.
Encourage the use of an incentive spirometer.
Perform range of motion exercises.
The Correct Answer is C
Choice A Reason:
Place suction equipment at the bedside is incorrect. While having suction equipment available is important for emergency situations, it does not directly prevent postoperative pulmonary complications. Suction equipment is used to clear the airway if the client has difficulty breathing or if there is an obstruction.
Choice B Reason:
Administer a prophylactic expectorant is incorrect. Prophylactic expectorants can help in managing secretions, but they are not the primary intervention for preventing postoperative pulmonary complications. The main goal is to promote lung expansion and prevent atelectasis.
Choice C Reason:
Encourage the use of an incentive spirometer is correct. Using an incentive spirometer encourages deep breathing and lung expansion, which helps prevent atelectasis and other postoperative pulmonary complications. It is a key intervention in postoperative care to maintain optimal lung function.
Choice D Reason:
Perform range of motion exercises is incorrect. While range of motion exercises are important for preventing musculoskeletal complications and promoting circulation, they do not directly prevent pulmonary complications. The focus for pulmonary health is on lung expansion and clearing secretions.
Nursing Test Bank
Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams
Related Questions
Correct Answer is A
Explanation
Choice A Reason:
Keep the drainage system below the level of the client’s chest at all times is correct. This measure ensures that gravity assists in the drainage of air and fluid from the pleural space, preventing backflow into the chest cavity. Keeping the drainage system below chest level maintains the negative pressure needed for effective drainage.
Choice B Reason:
Clamp the chest tube prior to transferring the client to a wheelchair is incorrect. Clamping the chest tube can lead to a buildup of air or fluid in the pleural space, potentially causing a tension pneumothorax. The chest tube should remain unclamped to allow continuous drainage.
Choice C Reason:
Empty the collection chamber prior to transport is incorrect. While it is important to monitor and manage the drainage, emptying the collection chamber is not necessary before transport. The focus should be on maintaining the integrity and function of the drainage system.
Choice D Reason:
Disconnect the chest tube from the drainage system during transport is incorrect. Disconnecting the chest tube can lead to a loss of the negative pressure system, resulting in potential complications such as pneumothorax. The chest tube should remain connected to ensure continuous drainage and maintain the negative pressure.
Correct Answer is C
Explanation
Choice A Reason:
Alginate dressings are typically used for wounds with moderate to heavy exudate because they are highly absorbent. Stage I pressure ulcers do not usually produce exudate, making alginate dressings unnecessary and inappropriate for this type of wound.
Choice B Reason:
Hydrogel dressings are designed to provide moisture to dry wounds and are more suitable for wounds with minimal to no exudate. While they can be used for stage I pressure ulcers, they are not the most common choice as these ulcers do not typically require additional moisture.
Choice C Reason:
Transparent dressings are ideal for stage I pressure ulcers because they protect the skin from friction and shear while allowing for continuous observation of the wound. These dressings maintain a moist environment, which is beneficial for healing, and are easy to apply and remove without causing additional trauma to the skin.
Choice D Reason:
Wet-to-dry gauze dressings are generally used for debridement of necrotic tissue in more advanced wounds. They are not suitable for stage I pressure ulcers, which do not have necrotic tissue and do not require debridement.
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