A charge nurse is conducting clinical rounds on a medical-surgical unit and reviewing the status of four clients. Which client assessment finding indicates a life-threatening complication that requires the most urgent intervention?
- Left-sided thoracentesis 1 hour ago; exhibits a heart rate of 124 beats per minute with the trachea shifted to the right.Cevap
- BLumbar puncture 3 hours ago; resting continuously in a supine position with the head of the bed completely flat.
- CAdvanced chronic obstructive pulmonary disease; arterial blood gas reveals a pH of 7.36, PaCO2 of 54 mm Hg, and HCO3 of 30 mEq/L.
- DReturned from a colonoscopy; primary nurse is auscultating all four abdominal quadrants prior to percussion and palpation.
Cevap
The client who had a thoracentesis and now exhibits tachycardia with a tracheal shift requires immediate intervention.
Following a thoracentesis, the lung or visceral pleura may be inadvertently punctured, allowing air to enter the pleural space with each breath but not escape. This creates a tension pneumothorax. The trapped air rapidly increases intrathoracic pressure, collapsing the lung and pushing the mediastinum (including the trachea) toward the unaffected right side. Combined with tachycardia (a compensatory response to decreased venous return and cardiac output), this represents a severe cardiovascular and respiratory emergency requiring immediate physician notification for chest tube insertion.
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Anahtar Kavram
Recognizing signs of a tension pneumothorax as a critical post-procedure complication requiring immediate intervention.
Alternatif Yöntem
When prioritizing clients, always apply the ABCs (Airway, Breathing, Circulation). A tracheal shift and tachycardia directly threaten Airway and Circulation, making it the undeniable priority over expected positioning, chronic baselines, and standard assessment techniques.
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