NCLEX Patient Needs Psychosocial Integrity Therapeutic Communications Related

Review NCLEX Patient Needs Psychosocial Integrity Therapeutic Communications related questions and content

A client diagnosed with empyema is to undergo decortication to remove inflamed tissue, pus, and debris. On the basis of which understanding about this procedure should the nurse offer emotional support to the client?

  • A. This problem may decrease the client's life expectancy.
  • B. The client is likely to be in excruciating pain after surgery.
  • C. The client will probably have chronic dyspnea after the surgery.
  • D. Chest tubes will be in place after surgery, and the healing process is slow.
Correct Answer: D

Rationale: The client undergoing decortication to treat empyema needs ongoing support from the nurse. This is especially true because the client will have chest tubes in place after surgery, and these must remain until the former pus-filled space is completely obliterated. This may take some time, and it may be discouraging to the client. Progress is monitored by chest x-ray. This information supports that the remaining options are not accurate.