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 C
Explanation
Rationale:
A. Chlorhexidine: Chlorhexidine is primarily used as an antiseptic for skin preparation or wound cleaning. It is not effective for disinfecting surfaces contaminated with bloodborne pathogens such as HIV.
B. Hydrogen peroxide: While hydrogen peroxide has disinfectant properties, it is less effective than bleach against a broad range of viruses, especially in situations involving blood spills where a higher-level disinfectant is recommended.
C. Bleach: A 1:10 dilution of household bleach (sodium hypochlorite) is the recommended solution for disinfecting surfaces contaminated with blood due to its strong virucidal properties. It effectively kills HIV and other bloodborne pathogens on environmental surfaces.
D. Isopropyl alcohol: Isopropyl alcohol has limited effectiveness against organic matter like blood and is not recommended for disinfecting blood-contaminated surfaces. It evaporates quickly and may not provide adequate contact time for complete disinfection.
Correct Answer is {"dropdown-group-1":"A","dropdown-group-2":"C","dropdown-group-3":"B"}
Explanation
Rationale:
- Pneumonia: The child’s shallow respirations, diminished breath sounds at the bases, and ongoing refusal to use the incentive spirometer suggest decreased lung expansion and poor airway clearance. These are classic risk factors for postoperative pneumonia, especially in pediatric clients who are reluctant to engage in deep breathing exercises.
- Peritonitis: Peritonitis would be indicated by signs such as a rigid abdomen, rebound tenderness, or marked fever. The client has mild abdominal tenderness but not the severity or systemic signs expected with peritonitis.
- Wound infection: There are no signs of wound infection. The surgical dressing is consistently described as dry and intact with no redness, drainage, or swelling, which are typical indicators of infection.
- Temperature: The child's temperature is slightly elevated but remains within the low-grade range and does not independently indicate a serious complication. It’s not the most significant factor in this case.
- Bowel sounds: Hypoactive bowel sounds are expected after abdominal surgery and do not directly point to a respiratory complication. They are improving postoperatively and are not a primary concern for pneumonia.
- Breathing effort: The child’s consistently shallow respirations and diminished breath sounds show a risk for poor ventilation. These are warning signs for the development of postoperative pneumonia.
- Abdominal tenderness: Mild to moderate tenderness is expected 1 day after abdominal surgery and shows improvement over time. It is not strongly suggestive of a new or worsening condition like pneumonia.
- Refusal to use incentive spirometer: Using the incentive spirometer encourages deep breathing and lung expansion. Refusing it increases the risk of atelectasis and subsequent pneumonia, especially in pediatric clients with shallow breathing patterns.
- Surgical dressing: The dressing is consistently described as dry and intact with no signs of infection or complication. It does not point to any current or developing risk.
Whether you are a student looking to ace your exams or a practicing nurse seeking to enhance your expertise , our nursing education contents will empower you with the confidence and competence to make a difference in the lives of patients and become a respected leader in the healthcare field.
Visit Naxlex, invest in your future and unlock endless possibilities with our unparalleled nursing education contents today
Report Wrong Answer on the Current Question
Do you disagree with the answer? If yes, what is your expected answer? Explain.
Kindly be descriptive with the issue you are facing.