Chapter 26: Closed Chest Drainage Systems

Chapter 26: Closed Chest Drainage Systems

 

Complete Chapter Questions With Answers

 

Sample Questions Are Posted Below

 

MULTIPLE CHOICE

 

1. The nurse is caring for a patient who is comatose and on a ventilator. When she enters the room, she notices that the patient’s trachea has shifted toward the left side of the patient’s neck, and he has become tachycardic. She assesses the patient’s blood pressure and notes that it is 84/38. The nurse calls for help, having recognized that the patient has developed which of the following conditions?

a.	Hemothorax
b.	Pneumothorax on the left side
c.	Pneumothorax on the right side
d.	Myocardial infarction

 

 

ANS:  C

A tension pneumothorax occurs from rupture in the pleura when air accumulates in the pleural space more rapidly than it is removed. If left untreated, the lung on the affected side collapses, and the mediastinum and the trachea shift to the opposite (unaffected) side. The patient has sudden chest pain, a fall in blood pressure, and tachycardia, and cardiopulmonary arrest can occur. Patients with chest trauma, fractured ribs, and invasive thoracic bedside procedures (such as insertion of central lines) and those on high-pressure mechanical ventilation are at risk for tension pneumothorax. A hemothorax is a collapse of the lung caused by an accumulation of blood and fluid in the pleural cavity between the chest wall and the lung, usually as a result of trauma. Nothing in this scenario would suggest myocardial infarction.

 

DIF:    Cognitive Level: Synthesis              REF:   Text reference: p. 656

OBJ:   List three conditions requiring chest tube insertion.            TOP:   Pneumothorax

KEY:  Nursing Process Step: Assessment   MSC:  NCLEX: Physiological Integrity

 

2. For a patient with a pneumothorax, where does the nurse anticipate that the chest tube will be located?

a.	Second to third intercostal space (apical), anterior
b.	Fifth to sixth intercostal space, posterior
c.	Fifth to sixth intercostal space, lateral
d.	Mediastinal area

 

 

ANS:  A

Apical (second or third intercostal space) and anterior chest tube placement promotes removal of air, which is necessary in the case of a pneumothorax. Chest tubes are placed low (usually in the fifth or sixth intercostal space) and posterior or lateral to drain fluid. A mediastinal chest tube is placed in the mediastinum, just below the sternum. This tube drains blood or fluid, preventing its accumulation around the heart. A mediastinal tube commonly is used after open heart surgery.

 

DIF:    Cognitive Level: Analysis                REF:   Text reference: p. 656

OBJ:   List three common sites for chest tube placement.              TOP:   Chest Tube Position

KEY:  Nursing Process Step: Assessment   MSC:  NCLEX: Physiological Integrity

 

3. The patient’s chest tube is attached to a one-way flutter valve that allows air to escape the chest cavity and prevents air from reentering. How does the nurse document this finding?

a.	Heimlich chest drain valve
b.	Pneumovax
c.	Water seal
d.	Pleurovac

 

 

ANS:  A

The device described is a Heimlich chest drain valve. Pneumovax is a pneumococcal vaccine that is effective against 23 common strains of Pneumococcus. A Pleurovac is the brand name of a water-seal set.

 

DIF:    Cognitive Level: Knowledge            REF:   Text reference: p. 657

OBJ:   Define the key terms used in the care of patients with chest tubes.

TOP:   Type of Chest Tube                         KEY:  Nursing Process Step: Assessment

MSC:  NCLEX: Physiological Integrity

 

4. The nurse is caring for a patient who has a chest tube connected to a water seal. The patient is not on a ventilator. Which of the following would the nurse consider normal?

a.	The fluid level in the water seal rises with inspiration.
b.	The fluid level in the water seal falls with inspiration.
c.	Constant bubbling occurs in the water seal.
d.	The fluid level in the water seal falls with expiration 3 days after insertion.

 

 

ANS:  A

Observe the water seal for intermittent bubbling from its U tube or for a rise and fall of fluid that is synchronous with respirations. (For example, in a nonmechanically ventilated patient, the fluid rises during inspiration, and the fluid level falls during expiration. When a patient is on a mechanical ventilator, the opposite occurs.) In a nonmechanically ventilated patient, the fluid rises during inspiration, and the fluid level falls during expiration. Constant bubbling in the water seal or a sudden, unexpected stoppage of water-seal activity is considered abnormal and requires immediate attention. After 2 to 3 days, tidaling or bubbling on expiration is expected to stop, indicating that the lung has reexpanded.

 

DIF:    Cognitive Level: Analysis                REF:   Text reference: p. 658

OBJ:   Discuss the nursing principles involved in caring for patients with chest tubes.

TOP:   Water-Seal Tidaling                        KEY:  Nursing Process Step: Evaluation

MSC:  NCLEX: Physiological Integrity

 

5. The nurse is caring for a patient with a chest tube that was inserted 4 days earlier. She notices that the drainage contains a large amount of pus. What does the presence of the pus indicate?

a.	Malignancy
b.	Pulmonary infarction
c.	Empyema
d.	Hemothorax

 

 

ANS:  C

Pus indicates an empyema, which is a collection of pus in the pleural cavity, and the drainage is pus colored. Blood-tinged fluid usually indicates malignancy, pulmonary infarction, or severe inflammation. Frank blood indicates a hemothorax.

 

DIF:    Cognitive Level: Knowledge            REF:   Text reference: p. 658

OBJ:   Discuss the nursing principles involved in caring for patients with chest tubes.

TOP:   Pleural Drainage                             KEY:  Nursing Process Step: Assessment

MSC:  NCLEX: Physiological Integrity