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 A
Explanation
Rationale:
A. Maintain the client in high-Fowler's position: Placing the client in high-Fowler's position improves lung expansion and decreases pulmonary congestion by lowering venous return to the heart. This is a priority intervention for managing dyspnea and crackles in heart failure.
B. Increase the client's intake of oral fluids: Increasing fluid intake may worsen fluid overload in clients with heart failure. These clients typically require fluid restrictions to prevent exacerbation of symptoms like pulmonary edema.
C. Instruct the client to cough every 4 hr: While coughing can help clear secretions, the symptoms in this scenario are related to fluid overload, not mucus accumulation. Coughing alone will not relieve the pulmonary congestion seen in heart failure.
D. Encourage the client to ambulate to loosen secretions: Ambulation has benefits but is not the first action when the client is short of breath and showing signs of pulmonary congestion. Activity should be limited until respiratory status stabilizes.
Correct Answer is B
Explanation
Rationale:
A. Notify the unit manager: Informing the unit manager is necessary for institutional follow-up and quality assurance. However, it is not the immediate concern. Client safety and clinical status must be assessed first to determine if harm has occurred due to the error.
B. Collect data on the client: Assessing the client is the priority to determine if the excessive fluid has caused complications such as fluid overload, pulmonary edema, or changes in vital signs. Early identification of adverse effects is essential to guide further intervention.
C. Notify the provider: The provider should be informed after assessing the client so that appropriate medical interventions or monitoring can be initiated. Immediate data collection ensures the nurse can give accurate information about the client’s status.
D. Complete an incident report: Documentation of the error is an important step for institutional learning and accountability. However, it is not time-sensitive in the way client safety and assessment are and should follow after urgent clinical actions are taken.
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