Author Question: A patient who has a right-sided chest tube following a thoracotomy has continuous bubbling in the ... (Read 47 times)

Brittanyd9008 · **on:** Jun 25, 2018

A patient who has a right-sided chest tube following a thoracotomy has continuous bubbling in the suction-control chamber of the collection device. Which action by the nurse is most appropriate?

a. Document the presence of a large air leak.
b. Notify the surgeon of a possible pneumothorax.
c. Take no further action with the collection device.
d. Adjust the dial on the wall regulator to decrease suction.

Question 2

When assessing a patient who has just arrived after an automobile accident, the emergency department nurse notes tachycardia and absent breath sounds over the right lung. For which intervention will the nurse prepare the patient?

a. Emergency pericardiocentesis
b. Stabilization of the chest wall with tape
c. Administration of an inhaled bronchodilator
d. Insertion of a chest tube with a chest drainage system

jasonq · **Reply #1 on:** Jun 25, 2018

Answer to Question 1

ANS: C
Continuous bubbling is expected in the suction-control chamber and indicates that the suction-control chamber is connected to suction. An air leak would be detected in the water-seal chamber. There is no evidence of pneumothorax. Increasing or decreasing the vacuum source will not adjust the suction pressure. The amount of suction applied is regulated by the amount of water in this chamber and not by the amount of suction applied to the system.

Answer to Question 2

ANS: D
The patient's history and absent breath sounds suggest a right-sided pneumothorax or hemothorax, which will require treatment with a chest tube and drainage. The other therapies would be appropriate for an acute asthma attack, flail chest, or cardiac tamponade, but the patient's clinical manifestations are not consistent with these problems.