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 ["0.3"]
Explanation
To calculate the mL of dalteparin to administer, we need to determine the total number
of units required for the client and then convert it to the volume based on the concentration provided.
First, we need to calculate the total number of units required: Weight of the client: 110 pounds
Dalteparin dosage: 150 units/kg Duration of treatment: 4 months
To convert the client's weight from pounds to kilograms, we divide it by 2.2: 110 pounds / 2.2 = 50 kilograms
Next, we calculate the total number of units required:
150 units/kg * 50 kilograms = 7,500 units
Now we can calculate the volume to administer:
7,500 units / 7,500 units/0.3 mL = 0.3 mL
Therefore, the nurse should administer 0.3 mL of dalteparin.
Correct Answer is C
Explanation
A) Incorrect - Developing new screening protocols is important, but it doesn't directly indicate that the program has prevented diseases. Screening protocols might catch diseases but don't prevent them.
B) Incorrect - Clients receiving rehabilitation indicates they already had disease complications, which is not a primary prevention outcome.
C) Correct- An improvement in average client scores on risk factor knowledge tests suggests that the primary prevention program has successfully educated clients about behaviors and practices that can help prevent sexually transmitted diseases. This improvement indicates that clients have a better understanding of the risks and protective measures, which is a key indicator of program effectiveness.
D) Incorrect - Diagnosing clients early in their disease process is related to early detection (secondary prevention), not primary prevention.
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