Questions for Respiratory System Related

Review Questions for Respiratory System related questions and content

The nurse is caring for a patient with lung metastases who just underwent a mediastinotomy. What should be the focus of the nurse's postprocedure care?

  • A. Assisting with pulmonary function testing (PFT)
  • B. Maintaining the patient's chest tube
  • C. Administering oral suction as needed
  • D. Performing chest physiotherapy
Correct Answer: B

Rationale: The correct answer is B: Maintaining the patient's chest tube. After a mediastinotomy, the focus of postprocedure care is to ensure proper drainage and prevent pneumothorax. Chest tube maintenance is crucial for monitoring drainage, preventing complications, and promoting lung expansion. Assisting with PFT (A) is not a priority immediately post mediastinotomy. Administering oral suction (C) can disrupt the chest tube and increase infection risk. Performing chest physiotherapy (D) may be indicated later but is not the immediate priority.