The family of a mechanically ventilated patient receiving a chest ...

[tiara099]

The family of a mechanically ventilated patient receiving a chest tube asks why the tube is necessary. How should the nurse respond?
 
  1. The chest tube helps to decompress the lung and prevents further complications.
  2. The chest tube helps the patient breathe more easily when on a ventilator.
  3. The chest tube is an elective procedure that many physicians like to perform.
  4. Placement of the chest tube requires surgery.

Question 2

The nurse is caring for a patient who is intubated and being mechanically ventilated. Which of the physician's orders should the nurse question for this patient?
 
  1. endotracheal suctioning every hour
  2. endotracheal suctioning as needed
  3. NPO status while patient is ventilated
  4. intake and output every 4 hours

[bobsmith]

Answer to Question 1

Correct Answer: 1
The chest tube is indicated for a pneumothorax that can be spontaneous or brought on by increasingly higher PEEP. The insertion of a chest tube is not an elective procedure and is most often performed at the bedside, not in surgery. A chest tube does not directly assist a patient with breathing more easily on a ventilator, but it does allow the lung to expand more fully, which helps with the patient's overall oxygenation.

Answer to Question 2

Correct Answer: 1
Suctioning should always be based on patient need and not routinely ordered. The patient will be NPO, and intake and output will be measured every 4 hours.