Question

A child who has had heart surgery returns to the pediatric unit with a chest tube and drainage bottles in place. What is a priority nursing responsiblity when caring for a child with chest tubes?

1.) empty the chest tube drainage bottles each shift
2.) clamp the chest tubes when turning the patient
3.) place the drainage bottles ont he bed when moving the bed
4.) keep the drainage bottle below the chest level at all times

Answer 1

The priority nursing responsibility when caring for a child with chest tubes is to keep the drainage bottle below the chest level at all times.

Step-by-step explanation:

The priority nursing responsibility when caring for a child with chest tubes is to keep the drainage bottle below the chest level at all times. This is important because keeping the drainage bottle below the chest level helps to maintain proper drainage of fluids from the chest and prevents air from entering the chest cavity, which can cause complications. Emptying the chest tube drainage bottles regularly and placing the drainage bottles on the bed when moving the bed are important tasks, but not the highest priority.

Answer 2

The priority nursing responsibility when caring for a child with chest tubes is to ensure that the drainage bottle remains positioned below the chest level consistently. Thus, the correct answer is 4.) Keep the drainage bottle below the chest level at all times.

Step-by-step explanation:

Maintaining the drainage bottle below the chest level is crucial in creating a continuous and effective gravity-based drainage system for the chest tube. This positioning helps facilitate the natural flow of fluid or air from the pleural space into the collection bottles without obstruction or backup.

Elevating the drainage bottle above the chest level can lead to backflow or suction reversal, causing potential complications such as pneumothorax or hemothorax. It's essential to prevent any disruption in the drainage system to ensure the child's respiratory stability and prevent the accumulation of fluid or air in the pleural space, which could impede recovery post-surgery.

Emptying the chest tube drainage bottles each shift is necessary but not the priority compared to maintaining the correct positioning. Clamping chest tubes when turning the patient or placing drainage bottles on the bed while moving it can disrupt the drainage system, leading to complications.

Therefore, keeping the drainage bottle below the chest level at all times stands as the top priority to ensure proper drainage and prevent potential respiratory complications in a child recovering from heart surgery.

Thus, the correct answer is 4.) Keep the drainage bottle below the chest level at all times.