A patient arrives at the emergency department with a stab wound to the chest.

The healthcare provider places two chest tubes to drain air and blood from the patient’s thoracic cavity.

Where should the nurse place the system?

Choice A rationale
Assisting the client to sit upright in a chair for 4 hr at a time is not recommended postoperatively following spinal fusion. This could put undue stress on the surgical site and potentially lead to complications.
Choice B rationale
Expecting clear drainage on the spinal dressing is not accurate. Any drainage from the surgical site should be closely monitored for signs of infection, but clear drainage is not typically expected.
Choice C rationale
Elevating the client’s legs when he is lying on his side is not a specific intervention related to postoperative care following spinal fusion.
Choice D rationale
Log rolling the client every 2 hr is the correct intervention. This technique is used to maintain proper alignment and prevent undue stress on the surgical site.

Choice A rationale
Sorbitol is a type of sugar alcohol used as a sweetener in many diet foods. It is also used in certain medications as a laxative to relieve constipation. However, it is not typically associated with liver failure and would not likely be questioned by the nurse in this context.
Choice B rationale
Lactulose is a type of sugar that is broken down in the large intestine into mild acids that draw water into the intestine, which then helps soften the stools. It is often used to treat constipation and is also used to reduce high blood ammonia levels in patients with liver disease. It would not typically be questioned by the nurse for a patient with chronic liver failure.
Choice C rationale
Neomycin is an antibiotic that is used to reduce the amount of ammonia produced by bacteria in the intestines. High levels of ammonia can cause hepatic encephalopathy, a serious complication of liver disease. Therefore, neomycin can be beneficial for patients with chronic liver failure and would not likely be questioned by the nurse.
Choice D rationale
Acetaminophen, also known as paracetamol, is a common over-the-counter medication used to relieve pain and reduce fever. However, high doses or long-term use of acetaminophen can cause liver damage. In fact, acetaminophen overdose is a common cause of acute liver failure. Therefore, the nurse should question an order for acetaminophen for a patient with chronic liver failure.