Chest tubes
Chest tubes ( 15 Questions)
Applying a pressure dressing to the wound site is not the priority intervention for a chest tube with signs of infection. The primary concern is to address the infection and prevent its spread.
The nurse should prioritize obtaining cultures from the chest tube site to identify the causative organism responsible for the infection. This information will guide the selection of appropriate antibiotics to treat the infection effectively.
Administering oxygen to improve ventilation may be beneficial for some patients, but it does not address the underlying infection. Oxygen therapy can support respiratory function but is not the priority intervention in this situation.
Monitoring vital signs and oxygen saturation is essential but does not address the infection directly. Vital sign monitoring is ongoing, while obtaining cultures is a specific intervention targeted at the suspected infection.
Choice A rationale:
Applying a pressure dressing to the wound site is not the priority intervention for a chest tube with signs of infection. The primary concern is to address the infection and prevent its spread.
Choice B rationale:
The nurse should prioritize obtaining cultures from the chest tube site to identify the causative organism responsible for the infection. This information will guide the selection of appropriate antibiotics to treat the infection effectively.
Choice C rationale:
Administering oxygen to improve ventilation may be beneficial for some patients, but it does not address the underlying infection. Oxygen therapy can support respiratory function but is not the priority intervention in this situation.
Choice D rationale:
Monitoring vital signs and oxygen saturation is essential but does not address the infection directly. Vital sign monitoring is ongoing, while obtaining cultures is a specific intervention targeted at the suspected infection.