Difficulty: Medium
Average Score: 76%
Simulated
A nurse in the PACU is assessing a client who has an endotracheal (ET) tube in place and observes the absence of left-sided chest wall expansion upon respiration. Which of the following complications should the nurse suspect?
Correct answer
B
Rationale
If the ET tube has moved into the right main bronchus, it will cause more air to enter the right lung and less to the left, leading to decreased left-sided chest wall expansion.