NCLEX Respiratory Questions Related

Review NCLEX Respiratory Questions related questions and content

The nurse is caring for a client with a right-sided chest tube that is accidentally pulled out of the pleural space. Which action should the nurse implement first?

  • A. Notify the health-care provider to have chest tubes reinserted STAT.
  • B. Instruct the client to take slow shallow breaths until the tube is reinserted.
  • C. Take no action and assess the client's respiratory status every 15 minutes.
  • D. Tape a petroleum jelly occlusive dressing on three (3) sides to the insertion site.
Correct Answer: D

Rationale: An occlusive dressing taped on three sides (D) prevents air entry while allowing air exit, a priority. Notification (A), shallow breaths (B), and monitoring (C) follow.