A nurse is collecting data from a client who has a new chest tube that is attached to closed chest water-seal drainage and suction. The nurse should report which of the following findings to the charge nurse?
Continuous bubbling in the water-seal chamber
Patient respiratory status is stable and denies pain to chest tube site!
Tidalling, fluctuations in the fluid level in the water-seal chamber
Occasional bubbling in the water-seal chamber
The Correct Answer is A
A. Continuous bubbling in the water-seal chamber: Continuous bubbling in the water-seal chamber indicates a possible air leak in the system, which needs to be assessed and potentially reported to the charge nurse for further evaluation.
B. Patient respiratory status is stable and denies pain to chest tube site: This is a normal finding and does not require reporting.
C. Tidalling, fluctuations in the fluid level in the water-seal chamber: This is a normal finding, indicating that the chest tube is functioning properly and that the lungs are expanding.
D. Occasional bubbling in the water-seal chamber: This may be acceptable, especially with respiratory movements, as it could indicate that the patient is exhaling, but continuous bubbling is concerning.
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Correct Answer is A
Explanation
A. Encourage the client to cough and deep breathe. Encouraging the client to cough and deep breathe promotes the clearance of secretions and improves lung expansion, which is critical in treating pneumonia.
B. Encourage the client to increase oral fluids: This helps to thin secretions, but encouraging deep breathing and coughing is more immediate and effective for clearing secretions.
C. Provide chest percussion on the client: Chest percussion helps mobilize secretions but is not the priority before ensuring the client is actively coughing and deep breathing.
D. Obtain the client’s temperature: While monitoring vital signs is important, clearing secretions is the priority for improving respiratory status in pneumonia.
Correct Answer is A
Explanation
A. Continuous bubbling in the water-seal chamber: Continuous bubbling in the water-seal chamber indicates a possible air leak in the system, which needs to be assessed and potentially reported to the charge nurse for further evaluation.
B. Patient respiratory status is stable and denies pain to chest tube site: This is a normal finding and does not require reporting.
C. Tidalling, fluctuations in the fluid level in the water-seal chamber: This is a normal finding, indicating that the chest tube is functioning properly and that the lungs are expanding.
D. Occasional bubbling in the water-seal chamber: This may be acceptable, especially with respiratory movements, as it could indicate that the patient is exhaling, but continuous bubbling is concerning.