Question

A nurse is caring for a client who has a chest tube in place that is attached to a water-seal drainage system. Which of the following findings should the nurse recognize as an indication of subcutaneous emphysema?

A) Increased breath sounds
B) Diminished chest tube drainage
C) Crackling sensation upon palpation of the skin
D) Elevated body temperature

Answer 1

The nurse should recognize a crackling sensation upon palpation of the skin as an indication of subcutaneous emphysema.

Step-by-step explanation:

Subcutaneous emphysema is a condition characterized by the presence of air in the subcutaneous tissue, which causes a crackling sensation upon palpation of the skin. Therefore, the correct answer to the question is option C) Crackling sensation upon palpation of the skin. Increased breath sounds (option A) may be present in conditions such as pneumonia. Diminished chest tube drainage (option B) may indicate a problem with the chest tube or the drainage system. Elevated body temperature (option D) may be a sign of infection. However, none of these findings are specific to subcutaneous emphysema.