A client is having a pneumonectomy done today, and the nurse is planning her postoperative care. Nursing interventions for a postoperative left pneumonectomy would include:

Question

Options

• AMonitoring the chest tubes
• BPositioning the client on the right side
• CPositioning the client in semi-Fowler position with a pillow under the shoulder and back
• DMonitoring the right lung for an increase in rales

• A
  4% (1)
• B
  15% (4)
• C
  4% (1)
• D
  78% (21)

Explanation

(A) Chest tubes are usually not necessary in a pneumonectomy because there is no lung to re- expand on the operative side. (B) The pneumonectomy client should be positioned on the back or operated side because the sutured bronchial stump may open, allowing fluid to drain into the unoperated side and drown the (C) The client should not have a pillow under the shoulder and back because of the subscapular (D) Rales are commonly heard over the base of the remaining lung, but an increase could indicate circulatory overload and therefore should be closely monitored.

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