A nurse is caring for a client who has brain cancer and is undergoing radiation therapy. Which of the following manifestations should the nurse report immediately?

Choice A rationale
Bubbling of the water in the water seal chamber with exhalation. This statement is incorrect. Bubbling in the water seal chamber with exhalation can be normal and indicates that air is being expelled from the pleural space. It is not necessarily a cause for concern.
Choice B rationale
Eyelets are not visible. This statement is incorrect. The visibility of eyelets on the chest tube is not a standard indicator for notifying the provider. The focus should be on the function of the chest tube and the patient’s clinical status.
Choice C rationale
Movement of the trachea toward the unaffected side. This statement is correct. Tracheal deviation toward the unaffected side can indicate a tension pneumothorax, a life-threatening condition that requires immediate medical attention. It suggests that pressure is building up in the pleural space, compressing the lung and shifting the trachea.
Choice D rationale
Crepitus in the area above and surrounding the insertion site. This statement is incorrect. Crepitus, or subcutaneous emphysema, can occur when air leaks into the subcutaneous tissue around the chest tube insertion site. While it should be monitored, it is not necessarily an emergency requiring immediate notification of the provider.

Choice A rationale
Maintaining a semi-Fowler’s position can help improve lung expansion and ease breathing in clients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). However, it does not directly address the issue of mucus congestion and difficulty in expectorating (bringing up) mucus.
While positioning can aid in overall respiratory comfort, it is not the most effective intervention for managing mucus congestion in COPD clients.
Choice B rationale
A low-salt diet is beneficial for overall health and can help manage conditions such as hypertension and heart disease. However, it does not have a direct impact on mucus congestion in clients with COPD. Dietary modifications are important for managing comorbidities, but they do not address the primary concern of mucus clearance in this scenario.
Choice C rationale
Encouraging the client to drink 2 to 3 liters of water daily is an effective intervention for managing mucus congestion in clients with COPD. Adequate hydration helps thin the mucus, making it easier to cough up and clear from the airways. This intervention directly addresses the client’s complaint of difficulty in expectorating mucus and can improve respiratory function and comfort.
Choice D rationale
Administering oxygen via nasal cannula at 2 L/min can help improve oxygenation in clients with COPD. However, it does not address the issue of mucus congestion and difficulty in expectorating mucus. While supplemental oxygen is important for managing hypoxemia, it is not the primary intervention for mucus clearance. The focus should be on interventions that help thin and mobilize mucus to alleviate the client’s symptoms.