The nurse is caring for a client after a thoracentesis that drained 50 mL of clear fluid from the left lung. Which assessment finding should the nurse report to the healthcare provider immediately?
Dullness bilaterally on percussion.
Serosanguinous drainage from the chest tube.
Diminished breath sounds in the left lower lobe.
Mediastinal shift to the right.
The Correct Answer is D
A) Incorrect- Dullness bilaterally on percussion is not a normal finding, but it is not an immediate concern after thoracentesis. It may indicate fluid accumulation or consolidation in both lungs, which could be related to other conditions such as pneumonia or heart failure.
B) Incorrect- Serosanguinous drainage from the chest tube is expected after thoracentesis, as long as it is not excessive or continuous. The nurse should monitor the amount and color of the drainage and document it accordingly.
C) Incorrect- Diminished breath sounds in the left lower lobe are also expected after thoracentesis, as the procedure removes fluid and air from the pleural space and reduces lung expansion. The nurse should auscultate the lungs before and after the procedure and compare the findings. The breath sounds should improve gradually as the lung re-expands.
D) Correct- This is a sign of tension pneumothorax, which is a life-threatening complication of thoracentesis. Tension pneumothorax occurs when air accumulates in the pleural space and creates positive pressure that pushes the mediastinum (the heart, great vessels, and trachea) to the opposite side of the chest. This can impair venous return, cardiac output, and respiratory function. The nurse should report this finding to the healthcare provider immediately and prepare to assist with needle decompression or chest tube insertion.
Nursing Test Bank
Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams
Related Questions
Correct Answer is C
Explanation
Clients with early-stage Alzheimer's disease may experience impaired judgment and cognitive decline, which can increase their risk for injury. Arranging the client's environment in a way that allows them to move about freely helps promote their safety and reduces the risk of accidents or falls.
Engaging the client in regularly scheduled activities during the day is a beneficial intervention as it provides structure and stimulation for the client. However, it may not directly address the risk for injury related to impaired judgment.
Offering the client frequent reassurance that they will be safe is important to provide emotional support, but it may not be sufficient in preventing physical harm or addressing the specific nursing problem of risk for injury.
Assigning a UAP (Unlicensed Assistive Personnel) to provide the client with total personal care may be helpful in assisting with activities of daily living. However, it does not directly address the risk for injury related to impaired judgment, and the nurse should have a central role in coordinating and overseeing the client's care.
Correct Answer is A
Explanation
The presenting symptoms of the infant, including persistent vomiting, poor skin turgor, significant weight loss, and a palpable abdominal mass, indicate a potential serious condition that requires immediate attention. These findings may suggest dehydration, malnutrition, and the presence of an abdominal mass that could be causing gastrointestinal obstruction or other underlying pathology.
Initiating a prescribed IV for parenteral fluid is the priority intervention to address the potential dehydration and fluid imbalance in the infant. This will help restore and maintain adequate hydration while further diagnostic evaluations and interventions are initiated.
Feeding the infant, giving 5% dextrose in water orally, or inserting a nasogastric tube for feeding should not be implemented as the first intervention in this case. It is important to stabilize the infant's fluid status before initiating oral feedings or other interventions to address the underlying cause of the symptoms.
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