Question

The registered nurse (RN) is assisting the healthcare provider (HCP) with the removal of a chest tube. Which intervention has the highest priority and should be anticipated by the RN after the removal of the chest tube?

Prepare the client for chest x-ray at the bedside.
Review arterial blood gases after removal.
Elevate the head of bed to 45 degrees.
Assist with disassembling the drainage system.

Answer 1

After the removal of a chest tube, the RN should prioritize preparing the client for a bedside chest x-ray to check for complications and confirm lung re-expansion.

Step-by-step explanation:

The highest priority intervention after the removal of a chest tube is to prepare the client for a chest x-ray at the bedside. This is crucial to ensure that there are no complications such as a pneumothorax or hemothorax after the tube is removed, and to confirm that the lungs are properly re-expanded. The surgical team, including the registered nurse (RN), plays an integral role in the post-operative care and recovery of a patient. In this context, the RN carries out specific responsibilities such as confirming team member roles, verifying patient identity, reviewing surgical procedure details, ensuring sterility, and checking equipment availability. After a chest tube is removed, besides preparing for a chest x-ray, the RN may also have to adjust the patient's position, such as elevating the head of bed to 45 degrees, and attending to any issues with the chest tube drainage system, though these are not as immediate as the x-ray.