Review H and P and nurses’ notes.

Exhibits

Click to highlight which assessment findings should the nurse attend to right away?

Admitted client. Vital signs: heart rate 128 beats/minute, rhythm sinus tachycardia, respiratory rate 14 breaths/minute, oxygen saturation 100% on 40% fraction of inspired oxygen, temperature 96.9° F (36.1° C), blood pressure 90/79 mm Hg. Pulse pressure calculated to be less than 40 mm Hg. The client's surgical dressing is clean and dry. Ecchymosis noted on the abdomen around the dressing. The client has a peripheral intravenous line in the right forearm and one in the left hand. The client also has a right subclavian central venous catheter that is infusing propofol and intravenous fluids.

Appendicitis is the most likely diagnosis, given the right lower quadrant (RLQ) pain, fever, nausea, vomiting, and CT findings of a dilated appendix with fat stranding. CT scan results confirming appendix dilation and fat stranding indicate inflammation, which is characteristic of appendicitis. WBC count is often elevated in appendicitis due to the inflammatory response and potential infection. Gastroenteritis is unlikely since there is no history of diarrhea or recent illness, and pneumonia is not relevant given the primary abdominal symptoms.

Potential Condition - Tension pneumothorax:

The client presents with sudden decreased oxygen saturation (56%) after being intubated, along with absent breath sounds on the left side and a tracheal deviation to the right. These are classic signs of a tension pneumothorax, which occurs when air enters the pleural space and is trapped, leading to increased pressure on the lung and mediastinum, resulting in tracheal deviation and respiratory compromise. The low PaO2 and high PaCO2 in the ABG further support the diagnosis of respiratory failure due to this condition.

Actions to Take:

Collect equipment for a needle aspiration: Tension pneumothorax is treated emergently by needle decompression to release the trapped air and relieve the pressure on the lung and heart. The nurse should prepare for this procedure by gathering the necessary equipment.

Increase the fraction of inspired oxygen on the ventilator: Increasing the oxygen delivery can help improve the client's oxygenation while preparing for further intervention, such as needle aspiration.

Parameters to Monitor:

Blood gas: The ABG results show acid-base imbalance (low pH, elevated PaCO2, low PaO2), which need continuous monitoring to assess the effectiveness of interventions, such as needle decompression and oxygenation support.

Breath sounds: The nurse should continue auscultating for changes in breath sounds as the tension pneumothorax is treated. The resolution of the absent breath sounds on the left side would indicate the success of the intervention.

Rationale for incorrect choices:

Endotracheal tube obstruction: The absence of breath sounds on one side and the tracheal deviation suggest a pneumothorax, not an obstruction. Obstruction would typically cause wheezing or decreased breath sounds on both sides, but it wouldn’t cause tracheal deviation.

Pulmonary hypertension: Pulmonary hypertension might cause hypoxia and respiratory distress, but it would not cause the sudden and severe signs of a tension pneumothorax, such as tracheal deviation and unilateral absent breath sounds

Ventilator malfunction: While a ventilator malfunction could affect oxygenation, it would not cause the physical signs of tension pneumothorax (tracheal deviation and absent breath sounds on one side). A malfunction would likely affect the entire chest and wouldn’t cause localized changes as seen in this client.