Difficulty: Medium
Average Score: 62%
Full-length
A client diagnosed with pneumonia is experiencing shortness of breath, chest pain, and orthopnea. The chest x-ray reveals a very large right pleural effusion. Which intervention should the nurse anticipate for this client?
Correct answer
C
Rationale
Thoracentesis removes fluid from the pleural space, relieving pressure on the lung and improving breathing in a large pleural effusion.