A nurse is caring for a client who has a three-chamber closed chest tube system. Which of the following actions should the nurse take after noticing a rise in the water seal chamber with client inspiration?
- A. Continue to monitor the client.
- B. Notify the healthcare provider immediately.
- C. Increase the suction level.
- D. Reposition the client.
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: The correct answer is A. The rise in the water seal chamber with client inspiration indicates that the chest tube system is functioning properly. This rise is expected as the negative pressure in the pleural space increases during inspiration, causing the water level to momentarily increase. It is important for the nurse to understand this physiological response and continue to monitor the client for any signs of respiratory distress. Notifying the healthcare provider immediately or increasing suction level is unnecessary and may disrupt the client's respiratory status. Repositioning the client is not indicated in this situation.
You may also like to solve these questions
A nurse is developing a plan of care for a client who is postoperative. Which of the following interventions should the nurse include in the plan to prevent pulmonary complications?
- A. Encourage the use of an incentive spirometer
- B. Administer oxygen therapy
- C. Provide early ambulation
- D. Monitor for chest pain
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: The correct answer is A: Encourage the use of an incentive spirometer. This intervention helps prevent pulmonary complications postoperatively by promoting deep breathing, improving lung expansion, and preventing atelectasis. Incentive spirometry helps the client maintain lung function and prevent respiratory complications such as pneumonia. Administering oxygen therapy (B) is important but not as effective in preventing complications as using an incentive spirometer. Early ambulation (C) is beneficial for circulation but does not directly prevent pulmonary complications. Monitoring for chest pain (D) is essential for assessing cardiac issues but does not specifically address pulmonary complications.
A nurse is caring for a client who has a history of exposure to TB and symptoms of night sweats and hemoptysis. Which of the following tests should the nurse realize is the most reliable to confirm the diagnosis of active pulmonary TB?
- A. Bronchoscopy
- B. Chest X-ray
- C. TB skin test (Mantoux test)
- D. Sputum culture for acid-fast bacillus
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: The correct answer is D: Sputum culture for acid-fast bacillus. This test is the most reliable for confirming active pulmonary TB because it directly detects the presence of the Mycobacterium tuberculosis bacteria in the sputum sample. Bronchoscopy (A) may help visualize the airways but does not definitively confirm TB. Chest X-ray (B) can show characteristic findings suggestive of TB but cannot confirm the diagnosis. TB skin test (C) indicates exposure but not active disease. Sputum culture is the gold standard for diagnosing TB, as it allows for definitive identification of the bacteria.
A nurse is providing discharge teaching to a client who has asthma and new prescriptions for cromolyn and albuterol, both by nebulizer. Which of the following statements by the client indicates an understanding of the teaching?
- A. I will be sure to take the albuterol before taking the cromolyn.
- B. I will take both medications at the same time.
- C. I will take the cromolyn before taking albuterol.
- D. I will take the medications in any order.
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: The correct answer is A: "I will be sure to take the albuterol before taking the cromolyn." This is because albuterol is a bronchodilator that helps to open up the airways quickly, providing immediate relief during an asthma attack. Cromolyn, on the other hand, is a mast cell stabilizer that helps to prevent asthma attacks but does not provide immediate relief. Taking albuterol first allows for quick relief, followed by cromolyn for long-term prevention.
Choice B is incorrect as taking both medications at the same time may not allow for the full effectiveness of each drug. Choice C is incorrect as cromolyn should be taken before albuterol to allow time for it to take effect. Choice D is incorrect as there is a specific order in which these medications should be taken for optimal results.
A nurse is reviewing the laboratory findings for a client who developed fat embolism syndrome (FES) following a fracture. Which of the following laboratory findings should the nurse expect?
- A. Increased serum calcium level
- B. Decreased serum calcium level
- C. Increased white blood cell count
- D. Decreased platelet count
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The correct answer is B: Decreased serum calcium level. In fat embolism syndrome (FES), fat globules enter the bloodstream, leading to blockages in small blood vessels. This can cause a decrease in serum calcium due to the formation of fat emboli in the pulmonary circulation, leading to hypoxia and subsequent release of inflammatory mediators that can affect calcium levels. The other choices are incorrect because in FES, there is no direct effect on serum calcium levels. Increased serum calcium levels (choice A) are not expected in FES. While increased white blood cell count (choice C) and decreased platelet count (choice D) can occur in response to inflammation or infection associated with FES, they are not specific laboratory findings for FES.
A nurse is reviewing the laboratory data of a client who has acute pancreatitis. The nurse should expect to find an elevation of which of the following values?
- A. Creatinine
- B. Bilirubin
- C. Amylase
- D. Albumin
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: The correct answer is C: Amylase. In acute pancreatitis, there is inflammation of the pancreas leading to leakage of pancreatic enzymes like amylase into the blood. Elevated amylase levels are a hallmark of acute pancreatitis. Creatinine (A) is related to kidney function, bilirubin (B) to liver function, and albumin (D) to protein status. In acute pancreatitis, the focus is on pancreatic enzymes like amylase.