Question

An unlicensed assistive personnel is taking care of a patient with a chest tube. The nurse should intervene when she observes the unlicensed assistive personnel

a. looping the drainage tubing on the bed
b. securing the drainage container in an upright position
c. stripping or milking the chest tube to promote drainage
d. reminding the patient to cough and deep breathe every 2 hours

Answer 1

The nurse should intervene when she observes the unlicensed assistive personnel stripping or milking the chest tube to promote drainage. Looping the drainage tubing on the bed, securing the drainage container in an upright position, and reminding the patient to cough and deep breathe every 2 hours are all appropriate actions in managing a patient with a chest tube.

Step-by-step explanation:

The nurse should intervene when she observes the unlicensed assistive personnel stripping or milking the chest tube to promote drainage (option C). Stripping or milking the chest tube can cause trauma to the patient, leading to complications such as bleeding or infection. This practice is no longer recommended in chest tube care.

Looping the drainage tubing on the bed (option A), securing the drainage container in an upright position (option B), and reminding the patient to cough and deep breathe every 2 hours (option D) are all appropriate actions in managing a patient with a chest tube.