A patient is recovering from a common bile duct exploration and has a T-tube drain in place. As the nurse, which action is most appropriate to ensure proper function and patient safety?
Flush the T-tube with sterile water every 6 hours to maintain patency.
Clamp the T-tube for 12 hours each day to reduce bile flow
Secure the T-tube to the patient's gown to prevent accidental dislodgement.
Maintain the drainage bag below the level of the abdomen to promote gravity drainage.
The Correct Answer is D
A. Flush the T-tube with sterile water every 6 hours to maintain patency: T-tubes are generally not flushed unless prescribed by a healthcare provider because flushing can introduce bacteria and cause complications. Patency is typically maintained by gravity drainage alone.
B. Clamp the T-tube for 12 hours each day to reduce bile flow: Clamping the T-tube is not routinely recommended for such long periods unless directed by the healthcare provider. Clamping is usually done gradually, often for 1-2 hours, to assess the patient’s ability to tolerate bile drainage naturally before tube removal.
C. Secure the T-tube to the patient's gown to prevent accidental dislodgement: While securing the T-tube prevents accidental dislodgement, the tube should be taped to the skin rather than the gown, as attaching it to clothing can increase the risk of unintentional dislodgement with movement.
D. Maintain the drainage bag below the level of the abdomen to promote gravity drainage. This is the correct answer because positioning the drainage bag below the abdomen allows for gravity to assist in the flow of bile from the bile duct, preventing backup and promoting proper drainage.
Nursing Test Bank
Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams
Related Questions
Correct Answer is B
Explanation
A. "Eating contaminated food or water from an infected source can cause you to become infected with hepatitis C." This applies to hepatitis A, not hepatitis C. Hepatitis A is transmitted through the fecal-oral route, whereas hepatitis C is bloodborne.
B. "Coming into contact with infected blood, such as from that of a dirty needle, can cause you to become infected with hepatitis C." Hepatitis C is primarily spread through blood-to-blood contact, most commonly through sharing needles, blood transfusions before widespread blood screening, or needle-stick injuries.
C. "Coming into contact with an infected person's bodily fluids, such as saliva, can cause you to become infected with hepatitis C." Hepatitis C is not commonly spread through casual contact or saliva. The risk of transmission through bodily fluids other than blood is extremely low.
D. "Consuming a large amount of alcohol at one time can cause you to become infected with hepatitis C." Alcohol does not cause hepatitis C, though it can worsen liver damage in individuals already infected with the virus.
Correct Answer is A
Explanation
A. Overdose: The patient has ingested a large quantity of unknown pills, leading to severe metabolic acidosis, high anion gap, and possible toxic accumulation. Dialysis is often indicated to clear toxins in the case of overdose, especially if renal function is impaired (as indicated by elevated creatinine).
B. Chronic Kidney Disease: While chronic kidney disease may eventually require dialysis, the acute overdose and metabolic acidosis are the more immediate concerns requiring urgent dialysis.
C. Hypertension: Hypertension may require management, but it is not the primary reason to initiate urgent dialysis in this scenario. The overdose and metabolic acidosis take precedence.
D. Dehydration: Dehydration alone does not necessitate dialysis. However, the overdose, metabolic acidosis, and renal impairment are the critical reasons for initiating dialysis.
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