A patient has a chest tube connected to a water-seal drainage system after a pneumothorax. Which nursing action is correct?
Correct answer: A. Keep the drainage unit below chest level
- A. Keep the drainage unit below chest level
- B. Clamp the tube during routine ambulation
- C. Empty the water-seal chamber every hour
- D. Place the drainage unit on the patient's bed
Explanation
The drainage system stays below the patient's chest so fluid can drain by gravity and does not flow back into the pleural space. Routine clamping can cause dangerous pressure buildup, and the unit should not be placed on the bed.
Report an error
The more specific you are, the faster it gets fixed. A source beats an opinion.
Prefer email? support@testustad.com
About Respiratory Nursing
Covers nursing assessment and management of asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, pneumonia, tuberculosis, pleural disorders and respiratory failure. Key areas include breath sounds, oxygen therapy, airway suctioning, inhaled medicines, arterial blood gases and the difference between hypoxia, hypoxemia and carbon dioxide retention.
Practise Respiratory Nursing
50 free Respiratory Nursing MCQs from Medical Surgical Nursing, each with the correct answer and an explanation. Unlimited attempts, no account needed.
Discussion
Stuck on an option, or know a faster way to get there? Ask or explain it here.
No comments yet. Be the first to explain this one.
Exams that ask Medical Surgical Nursing questions like this
Medical Surgical Nursing is on 8 papers prepared for on TestUstad, and all of them draw the same bank, so this question is worth knowing for every one of them.
More Respiratory Nursing questions
A patient with severe dyspnea is conscious, has a patent airway and is using accessory muscles. Which position should the nurse use first to improve ventilation?
A patient with pneumonia has fine crackles at both lung bases. What do these sounds most likely indicate?
A patient with asthma uses a peak-flow meter and obtains a reading below 50% of the personal best value. What does this result indicate?
A patient is taking ethambutol for pulmonary tuberculosis. Which finding should the nurse instruct the patient to report promptly?
A patient with pneumonia is prescribed intravenous antibiotics, and a sputum culture has been ordered. The patient is stable and has not yet received the first antibiotic dose. What should the nurse do?
An arterial blood gas sample shows pH 7.36, PaCO2 50 mmHg and HCO3 28 mEq/L. How should the nurse interpret these results?