What is the first action the nurse should take with the accidental dislodgement of a chest tube?
Call for the rapid response team and request a portable chest x-ray
Turn the suction drainage system off and auscultate breath sounds
Apply a sterile dressing and tape on three sides
Notify the healthcare provider immediately.
The Correct Answer is C
A. Call for the rapid response team and request a portable chest x-ray: While it is important to call for help and obtain imaging if needed, the immediate action is to address the potential pneumothorax by sealing the wound. The rapid response team and chest x-ray are necessary for further assessment, but securing the wound is the priority in the moment.
B. Turn the suction drainage system off and auscultate breath sounds: Turning off the suction drainage system and auscultating breath sounds may be part of subsequent assessment and care, but these actions are secondary to stopping the entry of air into the pleural space. Auscultating breath sounds would be important after the chest tube is secured to assess for signs of pneumothorax or other complications, but it is not the first priority.
C. Apply a sterile dressing and tape on three sides: The first priority when a chest tube becomes accidentally dislodged is to seal the wound to prevent air from entering the pleural space, which could cause a pneumothorax (collapsed lung). The correct method to seal the chest tube insertion site is to apply a sterile dressing and tape it on three sides. This technique allows air to escape from the pleural space but prevents air from entering, creating a temporary "one-way valve" effect. This is crucial in stabilizing the patient until further medical intervention can be provided. The fourth side of the dressing is left open to allow for air to escape, which helps prevent a tension pneumothorax
D. Notify the healthcare provider immediately: While notifying the healthcare provider is important, securing the wound to prevent further air entry is the immediate priority. Notifying the provider can occur after the dressing is applied. Prompt action to stabilize the chest tube site is crucial to prevent further respiratory distress or complications.
Nursing Test Bank
Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams
Related Questions
Correct Answer is B
Explanation
A. Tizanidine is a sleep aid and used to promote sleep along with melatonin:
This is incorrect. Tizanidine is not classified as a sleep aid. While muscle relaxants like tizanidine may cause drowsiness as a side effect, its primary purpose is to reduce muscle spasms rather than to promote sleep. Using it in combination with melatonin for sleep would not be appropriate unless specifically prescribed by a healthcare provider.
B. Tizanidine is a muscle relaxant medication used to reduce muscle spasms:
Tizanidine is a centrally acting muscle relaxant that is commonly used to treat muscle spasms and spasticity. In clients with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), spasticity can be a significant symptom, leading to muscle stiffness and discomfort. Tizanidine helps by relaxing the muscles and alleviating the muscle tightness associated with ALS. It works by inhibiting nerve impulses that cause muscles to contract, thus reducing spasticity and improving mobility. This medication is not intended for sleep promotion or pain relief directly, but rather to manage muscle spasms.
C. Tizanidine is an antibiotic medication used to treat bacterial infections:
This is incorrect. Tizanidine is not an antibiotic and has no role in treating bacterial infections. It is a muscle relaxant used for managing spasticity, not an antimicrobial drug.
D. Tizanidine is an opiate and is used to relieve severe pain:
This is incorrect. Tizanidine is not an opiate and does not belong to the class of opioids. It does not have the pain-relieving effects of opioid analgesics. While it may provide some relief from muscle discomfort, it is not used to treat severe pain in the way opiates like morphine or oxycodone are. Tizanidine’s primary purpose is to address muscle spasticity, not pain management.
Correct Answer is D
Explanation
A. In the prone position:
The prone position has been shown to be beneficial in certain respiratory conditions, particularly in acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS), where it can help improve oxygenation by redistributing blood flow in the lungs. However, prone positioning is typically not the first choice for pneumonia, especially when it is localized to specific lobes of the lung. It is more commonly used in cases of diffuse bilateral lung injury or severe hypoxemia. Therefore, while prone positioning can improve oxygenation in ARDS, it is not specifically targeted for secretion removal in localized pneumonia.
B. In high-Fowler's position:
The high-Fowler's position (sitting up at a 60-90 degree angle) can help with dyspnea and promote lung expansion in conditions like heart failure or dyspneic states. However, for pneumonia, it is not as effective as lateral positioning for facilitating secretion drainage from specific lung lobes. The high-Fowler's position may be useful for promoting overall comfort and reducing dyspnea, but it is not the best position for improving secretion removal from the right middle and lower lobes.
C. On the left side:
Positioning the patient on the left side is not ideal for right middle and lower lobe pneumonia, as it would not optimize drainage from the affected lobes. The right middle and lower lobes are better drained when the patient is positioned on the right side, as gravity can help move the secretions from the affected lobes toward the larger airways for easier clearance.
D. On the right side: In the case of right middle and lower lobe pneumonia, positioning the client on the right side can help optimize ventilation and promote better secretion removal from the affected areas of the lung. This position allows gravity to assist in draining secretions from the right middle and lower lobes toward the larger airways, where they can be more easily cleared by coughing or suctioning. This positioning can improve oxygenation and facilitate secretion management, which is crucial for improving respiratory function in pneumonia.
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