A client is being urgently transported to radiology for a Computerized Tomography (CT scan) after a sudden decrease in level of consciousness. The client is orally intubated and has a left lateral chest tube to 20 cm suction. Which action is most important for the nurse to take?
Secure chest tube to the stretcher for transport.
Administer PRN pain medication prior to transport.
Mark the amount of chest drainage on the container.
Keep chest tube container below the site of insertion.
The Correct Answer is D
Choice A reason: Securing chest tube to the stretcher for transport is a good practice, but it is not the most important action. The chest tube should be secured to prevent accidental dislodgement or kinking, but it does not affect the function of the chest tube or the drainage system.
Choice B reason: Administering PRN pain medication prior to transport is a compassionate action, but it is not the most important action. The client may experience pain due to the chest tube, the intubation, or the underlying condition, but pain relief is not a priority over maintaining adequate ventilation and drainage.
Choice C reason: Marking the amount of chest drainage on the container is a useful action, but it is not the most important action. The amount of chest drainage should be recorded and reported to monitor the client's status and detect any complications, such as hemorrhage or infection, but it does not affect the immediate function of the chest tube or the drainage system.
Choice D reason: Keeping chest tube container below the site of insertion is the most important action for the nurse to take. The chest tube container should be kept below the level of the client's chest to maintain a gravity-dependent pressure gradient that allows air and fluid to drain from the pleural space. If the container is raised above the site of insertion, it can cause backflow of air or fluid into the pleural space, which can compromise ventilation and cause tension pneumothorax.
Nursing Test Bank
Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams
Related Questions
Correct Answer is B
Explanation
Choice A reason: When the client has ankle edema, it is important for the nurse to assess for other signs of fluid retention, such as weight gain, jugular venous distension, and crackles in the lungs. However, ankle edema alone is not a specific indicator of preeclampsia or eclampsia, which are conditions that can cause hyperreflexia or increased DTRs.
Choice B reason: This is the correct answer because if the client has an elevated blood pressure, it is important for the nurse to assess for other signs of preeclampsia or eclampsia, such as proteinuria, headache, blurred vision, epigastric pain, and hyperreflexia or increased DTRs. These conditions can cause seizures and other complications that can endanger the mother and fetus.
Choice C reason: During admission to labor and delivery, it is important for the nurse to assess various aspects of the client's health status, such as vital signs, fetal heart rate, contractions, cervical dilation, and pain level. However, assessing DTRs is not a routine part of labor and delivery assessment unless there are signs of preeclampsia or eclampsia.
Choice D reason: Within the first trimester of pregnancy, it is important for the nurse to assess for signs of pregnancy-related nausea and vomiting, bleeding, infection, and ectopic pregnancy. However, assessing DTRs is not a routine part of first trimester assessment unless there are signs of neurological disorders or spinal cord injury.
Correct Answer is C
Explanation
Choice C reason: repositioning the infant every 2 hours can help expose different parts of the skin to the phototherapy light and increase the effectiveness of the treatment. The nurse should also check the skin for signs of irritation or burns.
Choice A reason: feeding the infant every 4 hours is not specific to home phototherapy. The infant may need more frequent feedings depending on their hunger cues and weight gain.
Choice B reason: performing diaper changes under the light is not necessary and may expose the infant's genitals to excessive light and heat. The nurse should advise the parents to cover the infant's eyes and genitals with protective shields during phototherapy.
Choice D reason: covering the infant with a receiving blanket can reduce the exposure of the skin to the phototherapy light and decrease the effectiveness of the treatment. The nurse should advise the parents to keep the infant unclothed or only in a diaper during phototherapy.
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