A nurse is providing care for a client who is scheduled for electroconvulsive therapy. Which of the following conditions should the nurse identify as an increased risk for complications?

Choice A reason: Marking drainage output every 48 hours is too infrequent to accurately assess drainage in a closed wound drainage system. Frequent monitoring (e.g., every shift) is needed to track output, detect complications like excessive bleeding, and ensure system functionality, making this intervention inadequate for assessment.
Choice B reason: Stripping the chest tube vigorously is not recommended, as it can increase intrathoracic pressure, risking tissue damage or bleeding. It does not assess drainage amount but manipulates the tube, potentially causing harm. Assessment requires observing output in the collection chamber, making this action incorrect.
Choice C reason: Maintaining the collection chamber below the client’s chest ensures proper drainage by gravity in a closed wound drainage system, like a chest tube. This position prevents backflow and allows accurate measurement of drainage output in the chamber, essential for assessing fluid loss and detecting complications like hemothorax.
Choice D reason: Adding water to the water seal chamber maintains system function but does not directly assess drainage amount. The water seal prevents air re-entry, not measures output. Assessment involves observing and recording drainage in the collection chamber, making this action irrelevant to the question’s focus.

Choice A reason: Absence seizures lack an aura, unlike focal seizures. They involve brief, sudden lapses in consciousness due to generalized cortical discharges, without premonitory symptoms, making this incorrect for educating parents about the characteristics of absence seizures in children.
Choice B reason: Absence seizures last 5-20 seconds, not 30-60 seconds. These brief staring spells are caused by spike-wave discharges on EEG. Prolonged duration suggests other seizure types, making this inaccurate for teaching parents about absence seizure presentation and duration.
Choice C reason: Absence seizures are managed with anticonvulsants like ethosuximide, not surgery. Surgical intervention is for refractory focal seizures, not generalized absence seizures, which respond to medication. This is incorrect for educating parents about treatment options for absence seizures.
Choice D reason: Absence seizures cause a daydreaming appearance, with staring and brief unresponsiveness due to synchronized cortical discharges. This hallmark symptom, lasting seconds, is critical for parents to recognize, aiding identification and management of absence seizures in school settings.