A nurse is contributing to the plan of care for a client who has a pleural chest tube with a closed drainage system. Which of the following actions should the nurse recommend for the client's care?
Maintain 30 ml sterile water in the drainage collection chamber
Place the drainage device level with the tube insertion site
Keep system tubing connections taped together.
Empty the drainage collection chamber every 4 hr.
The Correct Answer is C
A. Maintain 30 ml sterile water in the drainage collection chamber: The sterile water is maintained in the water-seal chamber, not the drainage collection chamber. The water-seal chamber typically holds about 2 cm of water to create a one-way valve preventing air from entering the pleural space, not 30 mL in the drainage area.
B. Place the drainage device level with the tube insertion site: The drainage device should always be kept below the level of the chest tube insertion site to allow gravity to assist drainage and to prevent backflow of fluid or air into the pleural cavity, which could cause complications.
C. Keep system tubing connections taped together: Taping the system tubing connections securely helps maintain a closed system, preventing accidental disconnections that could lead to air leaks or loss of the negative pressure needed for proper lung re-expansion. This is essential for the effectiveness of chest tube management.
D. Empty the drainage collection chamber every 4 hr: The drainage collection chamber is not emptied routinely. Instead, it is replaced when full or according to facility protocol. Frequent opening of the system increases the risk of introducing infection or losing the closed negative-pressure system.
Nursing Test Bank
Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams
Related Questions
Correct Answer is A
Explanation
A. Discontinue use of electronics 30 min before bedtime: The use of electronics before bedtime can disrupt the body's natural sleep cycle by suppressing melatonin production. Stopping electronic use at least 30 minutes before bed promotes relaxation and better sleep quality.
B. Drink a cup of coffee 1 hr before bedtime: Caffeine is a stimulant that can interfere with falling asleep and maintaining deep sleep. Consuming coffee close to bedtime would likely worsen sleep disturbances rather than help.
C. Consume a meal 1 hr before bedtime: Eating a large meal close to bedtime can cause discomfort, indigestion, and difficulty falling asleep. Light snacks are acceptable, but heavy meals should be avoided before sleeping.
D. Exercise 1 hr before bedtime: Vigorous exercise shortly before bedtime can increase adrenaline and body temperature, making it harder to fall asleep. Exercise is better scheduled earlier in the day to support restful sleep.
Correct Answer is {"dropdown-group-1":"C","dropdown-group-2":"C"}
Explanation
- seizures: If a thyroid storm occurs, the client can experience seizures due to the extreme metabolic disturbances and nervous system overstimulation it causes. Seizures would be a serious complication indicating worsening neurological function. Therefore, the client’s risk for seizures is directly related to the risk of developing a thyroid storm after surgery.
- paralytic ileus: Paralytic ileus involves bowel inactivity post-surgery, but the client had normoactive bowel sounds before surgery and no current documentation of absent or significantly reduced bowel activity. Therefore, this is not the most immediate risk based on current findings.
- pneumonia: The client is receiving oxygen therapy and has a slightly increased respiratory rate after surgery, but no signs of labored breathing, abnormal lung sounds, or infection are reported. Although inactivity can contribute to pneumonia risk postoperatively, there are no current findings indicating that pneumonia is developing right now.
- thyroid storm: The client had a thyroidectomy after presenting with signs of severe hyperthyroidism (weight loss, heat intolerance, anxiety, exophthalmos, goiter) and elevated T3 and T4 levels. Thyroid storm is a critical risk after thyroidectomy due to sudden hormone release, and it can cause life-threatening complications such as high fever, hypertension, tachycardia, and altered mental status.
- bowel sounds: The bowel sounds were normal before surgery, and there is no mention of significant gastrointestinal changes postoperatively. Bowel sounds alone are not the critical factor leading to the client’s highest current risk.
- inactivity: The client is currently lethargic after surgery and under the effects of anesthesia, which reduces movement and activity. Inactivity can cause decreased lung expansion and increase the risk of pulmonary complications like pneumonia. Although this is a concern, inactivity is not the client's most critical immediate risk compared to thyroid storm.
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