A nurse is caring for a client who is 1day postoperative following a left lower lobectomy and has a chest tube in place. When assessing the client's threechamber drainage system, the nurse notes that there is no bubbling in the suction control chamber. Which of the following actions should the nurse take?

A. Chest tube drainage. While monitoring chest tube output is crucial to detect complications like hemorrhage or pneumothorax, oxygenation and ventilation take priority immediately after surgery. Chest tube function should be assessed regularly, but it is not the highest priority in the immediate postoperative period.
B. Pain level. Effective pain management is essential for breathing, mobility, and recovery, but it is secondary to assessing respiratory function. Inadequate pain control can lead to shallow breathing and atelectasis, but oxygenation and perfusion must be ensured first.
C. Urinary output. Monitoring urinary output is necessary to assess renal perfusion and fluid status, but it is not the most critical in the immediate postoperative period following thoracic surgery. Oxygenation issues take precedence over kidney function unless there are signs of acute renal failure.
D. Arterial blood gases (ABGs). ABGs provide critical information about oxygenation, ventilation, and acidbase balance, which are the highest priorities after a thoracotomy and lobectomy. Postoperative patients are at risk for hypoxemia, hypercapnia, and respiratory acidosis due to lung resection, anesthesia effects, and impaired ventilation. Monitoring ABGs allows for timely interventions such as oxygen therapy, ventilatory support, or repositioning to optimize gas exchange.

A. A room with air exhaust directly to the outdoor environment. Clients with active tuberculosis (TB) require airborne precautions, which include placement in a negativepressure room with air exhaust directed outside to prevent the spread of infectious particles. This setup ensures that contaminated air does not circulate into other areas of the hospital.
B. A room in the ICU. The ICU is not an appropriate placement unless the client has severe respiratory distress or critical complications. TB patients should be isolated in a dedicated airborne infection isolation room (AIIR) rather than in an ICU, where other critically ill patients are at risk of exposure.
C. A room that is within view of the nurses' station. Proximity to the nurses' station is not a priority for TB management. Infection control measures, including negativepressure ventilation and airborne isolation, are far more important in reducing transmission risk.
D. A room with another nonsurgical client. TB is highly contagious, and placing the client in a shared room violates infection control protocols. Clients with active TB must be in a private, negativepressure room to prevent airborne transmission to others.