Question

After undergoing a right lower lobectomy for treatment of lung cancer, a 75-year-old client returns to his room with a chest tube in place. Several hours later a nurse finds the client out of bed barely able to speak, with the chest tube removed. Which action should the nurse take immediately?

Answer 1

The nurse should assess the patient's condition and notify the healthcare provider immediately after a chest tube is removed following a lobectomy.

Step-by-step explanation:

When a patient with a chest tube removes the tube, it can have serious consequences, especially after undergoing a lobectomy for treatment of lung cancer. The chest tube is essential for draining fluid or air from the chest, and its removal can result in a pneumothorax (collapsed lung) or a hemothorax (build-up of blood in the chest).

The nurse should take immediate action by assessing the patient's breathing and vital signs, and then notifying the healthcare provider. The patient may need a chest X-ray to evaluate for complications such as a collapsed lung, and a new chest tube may need to be inserted to drain any fluid or air.