Question

While the nurse is transporting a client to a new unit, the client's chest tube drainage system falls off the bed, and the tube becomes dislodged from the chest wall. What is the nurse's priority action?

a) Call the physician immediately.
b) Reconnect the chest tube to the drainage system.
c) Assess the client's respiratory status.
d) Document the incident and inform the charge nurse.

Answer 1

The nurse's priority action is to assess the client's respiratory status.

Step-by-step explanation:

The nurse's priority action when the client's chest tube drainage system falls off the bed and the tube becomes dislodged from the chest wall is to assess the client's respiratory status.

Assessing the client's respiratory status is important to determine if there are any signs of respiratory distress or compromise. This can include monitoring the client's breathing rate, oxygen saturation levels, and any difficulty in breathing.

Calling the physician and reconnecting the chest tube can be done after ensuring the client's respiratory status is stable and not compromised.