A nurse is providing care for a client who is scheduled for electroconvulsive therapy. Which of the following conditions should the nurse identify as an increased risk for complications?

Rationale:
A. Clamp the chest tube every 2 hr to assess the amount of drainage: Routine clamping of a chest tube is unsafe because it can cause a sudden buildup of pressure in the pleural space, leading to a tension pneumothorax.

B. Maintain the collection chamber above the level of the client's waist: The collection chamber should always be positioned below the level of the client’s chest to allow gravity drainage. Placing it above the waist would prevent proper drainage.

C. Strip the chest tube vigorously to dislodge blood clots: Vigorous stripping or milking of the chest tube can create excessive negative pressure, potentially damaging lung tissue. Current guidelines recommend gentle milking only if ordered and rarely if obstruction is suspected.

D. Add water to the water seal chamber as it evaporates: Maintaining the proper water level in the water seal chamber is essential to preserve the one-way valve function that prevents air from re-entering the pleural space. Evaporation can reduce the seal, so the nurse should routinely check and refill it.

E. Mark the drainage output on the collection chamber: Documenting drainage at regular intervals allows accurate monitoring of the client’s progress and early identification of complications such as increased bleeding or fluid accumulation. It supports timely communication with the healthcare provider.

Rationale:
A. Smoked salmon: Smoked and cured meats are rich in tyramine, which can trigger a hypertensive crisis when combined with monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs) such as phenelzine. Clients must avoid aged, fermented, or smoked foods to prevent dangerous elevations in blood pressure related to MAOI therapy.

B. Grapefruit: Grapefruit primarily interacts with medications metabolized by the cytochrome P450 enzyme system, but it does not have a clinically significant interaction with MAOIs like phenelzine. Therefore, grapefruit is not restricted for clients taking this medication.

C. Spinach: Fresh vegetables, including spinach, contain negligible amounts of tyramine and are safe to consume with phenelzine. A diet rich in fresh fruits and vegetables is encouraged to support overall health and medication adherence.

D. Cottage cheese: Unlike aged cheeses, cottage cheese contains minimal tyramine and is considered safe for clients on MAOIs. It provides a good source of protein and calcium without the risk of precipitating hypertensive complications.