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.

Answer and Explanation

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

Quiz #1: RN Exams Pharmacology Exams Quiz #2: RN Exams Medical-Surgical Exams Quiz #3: RN Exams Fundamentals Exams Quiz #4: RN Exams Maternal-Newborn Exams Quiz #5: RN Exams Anatomy and Physiology Exams Quiz #6: RN Exams Obstetrics and Pediatrics Exams Quiz #7: RN Exams Fluid and Electrolytes Exams Quiz #8: RN Exams Community Health Exams Quiz #9: RN Exams Promoting Health across the lifespan Exams Quiz #10: RN Exams Multidimensional care Exams

Get 100+ Naxlex Exit Exams for $79 Try Naxlex NCLEX-RN (14 Day Free-Trial)

Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams

Quiz #1: Naxlex RN Comprehensive online practice 2019 B with NGN Quiz #2: Naxlex RN Comprehensive Predictor 2023 Quiz #3: Naxlex RN Comprehensive Predictor 2023 Exit Exam A Quiz #4: Naxlex HESI Exit LPN Exam Quiz #5: Naxlex PN Comprehensive Predictor PN 2020 Quiz #6: Naxlex VATI PN Comprehensive Predictor 2020 Quiz #8: Naxlex PN Comprehensive Predictor 2023 - Exam 1 Quiz #10: Naxlex HESI PN Exit exam Quiz #11: Naxlex HESI PN EXIT Exam 2

Free Nursing Study Resources

Correct Answer is D

Explanation

A) Incorrect - Skin redness might indicate irritation, but the initial focus should be on the client's sensation.
B) Incorrect - Decreasing the strength of the electrical signals might be premature if the sensation is normal.
C) Incorrect - The amount of gel coating on the electrodes might not be the primary issue if the client is feeling a tingling sensation.
D) Correct- A tingling sensation is normal and expected when using a TENS unit, and it does not indicate any harm or damage to the skin or nerves. However, the sensation should not be painful or unpleasant for the client, and the nurse should adjust the intensity of the electrical signals accordingly.

A. Review transcutaneous bilirubin levels with a bilirubinometer. B. Observe and palpate newborn's breast tissue for enlargement. C. Assess for signs of fluid retention and bilateral pedal edema. D. Explain to the mother that the finding is due to increased androgen.

Correct Answer is D

Explanation

A) Incorrect- Reviewing transcutaneous bilirubin levels is unrelated to the presence of an enlarged clitoris. Bilirubin levels are typically assessed to monitor jaundice in newborns.
B) Incorrect- Observing and palpating breast tissue for enlargement is not relevant to the condition of salt-wasting congenital adrenal hyperplasia. Breast tissue enlargement would not be associated with this hormonal disorder.
C) Incorrect- Assessing for signs of fluid retention and bilateral pedal edema is important for monitoring for other conditions, but it is not relevant to the enlarged clitoris seen in this specific scenario.
D) Correct- Salt-wasting congenital adrenal hyperplasia is a genetic disorder that results in a deficiency of certain enzymes required for cortisol and aldosterone production. This deficiency leads to an overproduction of androgens, which can cause virilization of female external genitalia. The enlarged clitoris is a result of increased androgen levels. Explaining this finding to the mother provides her with accurate information about the condition and its effects on the infant's anatomy.

View Question and Answer

Whether you are a student looking to ace your exams or a practicing nurse seeking to enhance your expertise , our nursing education contents will empower you with the confidence and competence to make a difference in the lives of patients and become a respected leader in the healthcare field.

Visit Naxlex, invest in your future and unlock endless possibilities with our unparalleled nursing education contents today

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?

Nursing Test Bank

Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams

A client with persistent low back pain has received a prescription for an electronic stimulator (TENS) unit. After the nurse applies the electrodes and turns on the power, the client reports feeling a tingling sensation. How should the nurse respond?

Correct Answer is D

Explanation

When assessing a newborn girl with salt-wasting congenital adrenal hyperplasia due to 21 hydroxylase deficiency, the nurse notes that the infant has an enlarged clitoris. Which intervention should the nurse implement?

Correct Answer is D

Explanation

A client who weighs 110 pounds receives a prescription for dalteparin 150 units/kg subcutaneously daily for 4 months. The medication is available in 7,500 units/0.3 mL prefilled syringe. How many mL should the nurse administer? (Enter numerical value only.)

The nurse is planning to administer two medications to a client at 0900. Which property of the drugs, if shared by both drugs, indicates a need to closely monitor the client for drug toxicity?

When the nurse enters the room of a male client who was admitted for a fractured femur, his cardiac monitor displays a normal sinus rhythm (NSR), but he has no spontaneous respirations and his carotid pulse is not palpable. Which intervention should the nurse implement?

A client with diabetes insipidus (DI) has an average urinary output of 500 ml. of dilute urine every hour for the last 4 hours. Which laboratory test is most important for the nurse to monitor?

The nurse is performing tracheostomy care for a client when a code blue is called for another client on the unit who experiences a cardiopulmonary arrest. Which action should the nurse take?

Which instruction regarding skin care should the nurse provide to a client who is receiving radiation therapy for metastatic breast cancer?

A 3-year-old boy with a congenital heart defect is brought to the clinic by his mother because he has a fever and an earache. During the assessment, the mother asks the nurse why her child is at the 5th percentile for weight and height for his age. Which response is best for the nurse to provide?