Question

After undergoing a left pneumonectomy, a female patient has a chest tube in place for drainage. When caring for this patient, the nurse must:

A Monitor fluctuations in the water-seal chamber
B Clamp the chest tube once every shift
C Encourage coughing and deep breathing
D Milk the chest tube every 2 hours

Answer 1

When caring for a patient after a left pneumonectomy with a chest tube in place, the nurse must monitor the water-seal chamber and encourage coughing and deep breathing.

Step-by-step explanation:

When caring for a patient who has undergone a left pneumonectomy and has a chest tube in place for drainage, the nurse must:

1. Monitor fluctuations in the water-seal chamber
2. Encourage coughing and deep breathing

Monitoring fluctuations in the water-seal chamber is important to ensure proper functioning of the chest tube and drainage of fluid or air. Encouraging coughing and deep breathing helps improve lung function and prevent complications such as pneumonia and atelectasis.