Question

Which intervention does the nurse perform 30 minutes before removing a chest tube from a patient?

A. Prepare a sterile field that includes a petroleum dressing.
B. Administer a pain medication to the patient.
C. Clamp the chest tube.
D. Ensure that the patient has nothing NPO.

Answer 1

A nurse prepares a sterile field with a petroleum dressing 30 minutes before removing a chest tube, as this is necessary to create an airtight seal post-removal.

Step-by-step explanation:

The intervention a nurse performs 30 minutes before removing a chest tube from a patient is to prepare a sterile field that includes a petroleum dressing. The petroleum dressing is a critical component of the procedure, as it will be used to create an airtight seal after the chest tube is removed, preventing air from re-entering the pleural space. Although administering pain medication may be appropriate to ensure patient comfort, this is not the intervention specifically performed 30 minutes prior to chest tube removal.

Additionally, clamping the chest tube may be performed in some cases but is not universally done exactly 30 minutes before removal and is not the primary intervention focused on. Ensuring that the patient has nothing by mouth (NPO) isn't directly related to the immediate preparation for chest tube removal, though it may be a consideration if the patient is expected to receive sedation or other medication requiring an empty stomach.