A nurse on an inpatient mental health unit is caring for a client.

Exhibits

Select 4 findings the nurse should identify as positive manifestations of the clients diagnosis

Rationale:

A. Clamp the chest tube every 2 hr to assess the amount of drainage: Clamping a chest tube is not routine and can lead to tension pneumothorax by preventing air or fluid from escaping the pleural space. It should only be done briefly and under specific provider direction.

B. Add water to the water seal chamber as it evaporates: Water in the water seal chamber may evaporate over time and should be maintained at the prescribed level to preserve the one-way seal. This ensures proper functioning of the chest drainage system.

C. Mark the drainage output on the collection chamber: Marking the drainage level at regular intervals allows for accurate monitoring of output trends, which can help detect complications like hemorrhage or increased fluid accumulation.

D. Maintain the collection chamber above the level of the client's waist: The collection chamber should be kept below the level of the chest to promote gravity drainage. Elevating it above the waist can allow fluid or air to flow back into the pleural space.

E. Strip the chest tube vigorously to dislodge blood clots: Stripping is not recommended as it creates high negative pressure that may damage lung tissue. If clots are suspected, milking the tube gently or other interventions should be discussed with the provider.

Rationale:

A. Contact the client's family to discuss the decision: While family members may be involved, the nurse must prioritize respecting the client’s autonomy. The client has expressed their wishes, and involving family without consent may violate confidentiality and autonomy.

B. Encourage the client to complete a final hemodialysis treatment: Pressuring or encouraging a client to undergo treatment they have refused especially when they have advance directives in place disregards their legal and ethical right to make decisions about their own care.

C. Discuss possible options for discharge with the client: Respecting the client’s decision and exploring care planning, such as hospice or palliative care services, is appropriate. This supports autonomy while ensuring comfort and dignity in the end-of-life process.

D. Discuss future treatment options with the client's health care surrogate: A surrogate decision-maker is only consulted when the client is unable to make decisions. In this case, the client is alert and capable, so the discussion should remain between the nurse and client.