A nurse is monitoring a client following a thoracentesis. The nurse should identify which of the following manifestations as a complication and contact the provider immediately?
Discomfort at the puncture site
Serosanguineous drainage from the puncture site
Increased heart rate
Decreased temperature
The Correct Answer is C
A. Discomfort at the puncture site:
Some discomfort at the puncture site is normal after a thoracentesis. It may be managed with pain medication as needed.
B. Serosanguineous drainage from the puncture site:
Serosanguineous drainage (a mix of clear and bloody fluid) is a common and expected finding after a thoracentesis. It is part of the normal post-procedure care.
C. Increased heart rate
Increased heart rate can be indicative of a complication following a thoracentesis, such as a pneumothorax or bleeding. This requires immediate attention, and the healthcare provider should be contacted promptly for further evaluation and intervention.
D. Decreased temperature:
A decreased temperature alone is not typically associated with complications following a thoracentesis. It may be related to other factors, but it is not an immediate concern compared to an increased heart rate.
Nursing Test Bank
Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams
Related Questions
Correct Answer is D
Explanation
A. PEEP decreases the peak respiratory pressures:
PEEP may increase peak respiratory pressures, especially during inspiration, but its primary purpose is to prevent alveolar collapse and improve oxygenation.
B. “PEEP increases the number of breaths the patient takes on his own.”:
PEEP does not increase the number of breaths the patient takes. It primarily affects the quality of ventilation by preventing alveolar collapse.
C. “PEEP augments the patient’s overall tidal volumes.”:
PEEP does not necessarily increase overall tidal volumes. It focuses on maintaining positive pressure at the end of expiration to prevent alveolar collapse.
D. “PEEP improves oxygenation by keeping alveoli open after exhalation.”
Positive end-expiratory pressure (PEEP) is used in mechanical ventilation to maintain positive pressure in the airways and alveoli at the end of the respiratory cycle (expiration). This helps prevent alveolar collapse and improves oxygenation by keeping the alveoli open, particularly in patients with conditions like acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS). PEEP is commonly used to increase functional residual capacity (FRC) and improve oxygenation.
Correct Answer is D
Explanation
A. Pneumothorax: A pneumothorax occurs when air accumulates in the pleural space, causing the lung to collapse. It often presents with unilateral chest pain, dyspnea, and diminished or absent breath sounds on the affected side.
B. Atelectasis: Atelectasis refers to the collapse of alveoli in the lungs, often caused by obstruction, compression, or lack of surfactant. Symptoms include hypoxemia, diminished breath sounds, and shortness of breath.
C. Hemothorax: A hemothorax occurs when blood accumulates in the pleural space. It typically presents with chest pain, dyspnea, and diminished or absent breath sounds on the affected side.
D. Flail Chest: Flail chest results from multiple rib fractures that create a free-floating segment of the chest wall. This condition causes paradoxical chest movement, where the chest wall segment moves inward during inspiration and outward during expiration.
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