NCLEX RN Medical Surgical Practice Questions Related

Review NCLEX RN Medical Surgical Practice Questions related questions and content

The nurse has assisted the physician at the bedside with insertion of a left subclavian, triple lumen catheter in a client admitted with lung cancer. Suddenly, the client becomes restless and tachypneic. The nurse should:

  • A. Assess breath sounds.
  • B. Remove the catheter.
  • C. Insert a peripheral I.V.
  • D. Reposition the client.
Correct Answer: A

Rationale: Restlessness and tachypnea post-catheter insertion suggest a pneumothorax, a complication. Assessing breath sounds detects absent or diminished sounds, guiding intervention. Removing the catheter, inserting an I.V., or repositioning does not address the urgent issue.