A nurse is preparing to assist the provider with a thoracentesis for a client who has a left pleural effusion. Which of the following interventions is the priority for the nurse?
Describe the sensations the client will feel during the procedure.
Reinforce the importance of lying still during the procedure.
Administer a sedative medication.
Determine whether the client has an allergy to local anesthetics.
The Correct Answer is D
The priority intervention for the nurse is to determine whether the client has an allergy to local anesthetics, as this could cause a serious adverse reaction during the procedure.
Thoracentesis is a minimally invasive procedure that involves inserting a needle into the pleural space to drain excess fluid or air from around the lungs. The procedure requires local anesthesia to numb the area where the needle is inserted. Therefore, it is essential to assess for any allergy to local anesthetics before proceeding with the procedure.
Nursing Test Bank
Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams
Related Questions
Correct Answer is B
Explanation
This is because older adults are at increased risk of hypothermia, which is a potentially life-threatening condition that occurs when the body temperature drops below 35° C (95° F).
Hypothermia can cause confusion, drowsiness, slurred speech, slow heartbeat, shallow breathing, and loss of consciousness. Some factors that increase the risk of hypothermia in older adults are low indoor temperature, inadequate clothing, poor nutrition, chronic illness, medication use, and social isolation.
The nurse should contact the local Department of Health and Human Services for the client to help them access resources and programs that can assist them with paying their heating bills or finding alternative housing options. The nurse should also educate the client on how to prevent hypothermia by wearing warm clothing, eating well-balanced meals, drinking warm fluids, avoiding alcohol and caffeine, and staying active.
Correct Answer is B
Explanation
A chest physiotherapy vest is a device that delivers high-frequency chest wall oscillation to loosen and mobilize mucus from the airways . This helps improve lung function and prevent respiratory infections in patients with cystic fibrosis, who have thick and sticky mucus production . A peak flow meter is used to measure the peak expiratory flow rate, which reflects the degree of airway obstruction in patients with asthma .
An NG tube with suction apparatus is used to decompress the stomach and remove gastric contents in patients with bowel obstruction, paralytic ileus, or gastroparesis . A chest tube with a drainage system is used to remove air or fluid from the pleural space in patients with pneumothorax, hemothorax, or pleural effusion .

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