HESI Test Bank Medical Surgical Nursing Related

Review HESI Test Bank Medical Surgical Nursing related questions and content

Which intervention should the nurse include in the plan of care for a client who has a chest tube due to hemothorax?

  • A. Keep the arm and shoulder of the affected side immobile at all times.
  • B. Encourage the client to breathe deeply and cough at frequent intervals.
  • C. Maintain the pleura vac slightly above the chest level.
  • D. Ensure there is no fluctuation in the water seal.
Correct Answer: B

Rationale: Encouraging deep breathing and coughing is vital for a client with a chest tube due to hemothorax as it helps prevent atelectasis and promotes lung expansion. Keeping the arm and shoulder immobile (Choice A) is not necessary for chest tube management. Maintaining the pleura vac slightly above the chest level (Choice C) is incorrect as the pleura vac should be kept below the chest level to facilitate drainage. Ensuring no fluctuation in the water seal (Choice D) is important, but it is not the priority intervention when compared to promoting lung expansion through deep breathing and coughing.