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CNOR Operating Room Nursing

Category - Emergencies

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The perioperative nurse is caring for a patient with a chest tube when they notice an extensive amount of bubbling in the water seal chamber of the device. The patient has developed cyanosis and shallow breathing. What is the nurse’s next action?

Tell the patient to take a deep breath and cough.
Milk the tubing to dislodge any clots that may have developed.
Replace the chest tube.
Notify the physician.

Explanation

Answer: D-The nurse should notify the physician. If the water seal chamber starts bubbling excessively and there is not an outside leak, the patient could be retaining air within the pleural cavity. Based on the patient’s response of cyanosis and shallow breathing, the chest tube is not working correctly and the physician needs to be notified.

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CNOR Operating Room Nursing

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