A nurse is caring for a client who has a chest tube that was inserted 4 days ago. Which of the following findings should the nurse report to the charge nurse?
Respiratory rate 16/min
Blood pressure 110/70 mm Hg
400 mL of drainage in the collection chamber within 4 hr
Fluctuation in the water seal chamber with respiration
The Correct Answer is C
A. Respiratory rate 16/min is a normal finding. A respiratory rate of 16/min is within the expected range for adults, so it does not indicate a problem that requires immediate attention.
B. Blood pressure 110/70 mm Hg is within the normal range for blood pressure. This is an acceptable finding and does not require reporting to the charge nurse.
C. 400 mL of drainage in the collection chamber within 4 hr should be reported to the charge nurse. This is an excessive amount of drainage for a client with a chest tube. After the first few hours post-surgery, the drainage should decrease. Large amounts of drainage may indicate bleeding, and it is important to notify the charge nurse immediately to assess the situation further.
D. Fluctuation in the water seal chamber with respiration is a normal finding. It is expected for the water seal chamber to fluctuate with the client’s respirations, indicating that the chest tube is functioning properly and the system is not obstructed.
Nursing Test Bank
Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams
Related Questions
Correct Answer is B
Explanation
A. "Provide informational updates to members of the media" is incorrect. This task typically falls under the responsibility of the hospital’s public relations or communications team. Nurses do not usually handle media updates in the context of mass casualty events.
B. "Assist in discharging stable clients to home" is correct. During a mass casualty event, it is important to make room for incoming patients. Discharging stable patients helps free up beds and resources for those who need immediate care.
C. "Delegate tasks to emergency health care specialists" is incorrect. While nurses may delegate some tasks, the nurse’s primary responsibility in this scenario would be managing care within the medical-surgical unit, not directing emergency health care specialists.
D. "Determine the acuity and number of casualties arriving at the facility" is incorrect. This task is generally managed by triage teams or emergency management staff who assess incoming patients at the point of injury or arrival at the facility.
Correct Answer is C
Explanation
A. Tonic-clonic seizures: This is not typically expected following electroconvulsive therapy (ECT). ECT can induce a brief seizure during the procedure, but the nurse would not expect tonic-clonic seizures afterward as a direct result.
B. Paresthesias: Paresthesias (tingling or numbness) are not commonly associated with ECT. The procedure primarily affects the brain, and while some neurological symptoms may occur temporarily, paresthesias are not expected findings.
C. Disorientation: This is correct. It is common for clients to experience disorientation and confusion immediately following ECT, as it can affect memory and cognition temporarily. This typically resolves within a short period of time (minutes to hours) following the procedure.
D. Sleep apnea: Sleep apnea is not a direct or common effect of ECT. While anesthesia used during the procedure may cause some temporary respiratory changes, sleep apnea would not be expected as a typical post-procedure finding.
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