A nurse is contributing to the plan of care for a client who has a chest tube set to continuous suction to relieve a pneumothorax. Which of the following interventions should the nurse include?
Clamp the chest tube every 4 hr.
Place the client in a supine position.
Ensure the device is kept below the level of the client's chest.
Empty the collection chamber every 8 hr.
The Correct Answer is C
Rationale:
A. Clamp the chest tube every 4 hr: Routine clamping of a chest tube is not recommended, as it can lead to tension pneumothorax by trapping air in the pleural space. Clamping is only done briefly and for specific reasons, such as system checks or before removal.
B. Place the client in a supine position: The supine position can impair lung expansion and hinder drainage from the pleural space. Clients with a chest tube are best positioned in semi-Fowler’s or high-Fowler’s to promote ventilation and facilitate drainage.
C. Ensure the device is kept below the level of the client's chest: Keeping the drainage system below chest level promotes gravity-assisted drainage and prevents backflow of air or fluid into the pleural space, which could compromise lung re-expansion.
D. Empty the collection chamber every 8 hr: The collection chamber is not emptied; it is replaced when full. Opening the system introduces infection risk and disrupts the closed drainage system necessary for maintaining negative pressure.
Nursing Test Bank
Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams
Related Questions
Correct Answer is ["B","C","D"]
Explanation
Rationale
• Ensure the transfusion tubing is flushed with dextrose 5% in water: Flushing with D5W can cause hemolysis due to the hypotonicity and sugar content, leading to clumping or damage to red blood cells. Normal saline is the only acceptable fluid for flushing or administering with blood products to maintain cell integrity and avoid adverse reactions.
• Obtain a large-bore IV catheter: A large-bore catheter, typically 18–20 gauge, is necessary to allow rapid infusion of blood and reduce the risk of hemolysis. It also minimizes resistance and facilitates effective delivery during emergencies like hypovolemic shock from GI bleeding.
• Witness the client signing a consent for transfusion: Informed consent is a legal and ethical requirement prior to initiating a transfusion. The nurse must ensure that the client understands the purpose, benefits, and risks of the procedure, and the nurse may witness the client’s signature.
• Ensure two nurses confirm the information on the blood label: Verifying the client's identity and blood product information by two licensed personnel prevents transfusion errors, such as ABO incompatibility. This is a critical safety measure and a standard facility protocol before starting the transfusion.
• Explain to the client that transfusion reactions are not serious: Minimizing the risks of transfusion reactions is misleading and unsafe. Some reactions can be life-threatening, such as hemolytic or anaphylactic reactions. The nurse should provide accurate education about potential signs and encourage prompt reporting.
Correct Answer is C
Explanation
Rationale:
A. Dress the newborn in a warm gown when placing them next to the parent's skin: Skin-to-skin contact, not clothing layers, is the priority for thermoregulation in the first hours after birth. A warm gown may interfere with skin contact and reduce the effectiveness of heat transfer from parent to newborn.
B. Delay the newborn's feedings until their temperature is stabilized: Early feeding is encouraged for newborns to promote bonding, glucose stabilization, and warmth. Feeding should not be delayed, as it can help the baby generate heat through metabolism.
C. Postpone the newborn's initial bath: A newborn’s bath should be delayed until their temperature is stable to prevent further heat loss. Bathing can cause evaporation-related cooling, which may worsen mild hypothermia in a newborn during the early hours of life.
D. Place the swaddled newborn under a radiant warmer: Swaddling under a radiant warmer interferes with direct heat transfer. The newborn should be unclothed (except for a diaper) under the warmer to ensure effective warming through radiation.
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