Difficulty: Medium
Average Score: 78%
Simulated
A nurse is caring for a client who is postoperative and has a chest tube. The nurse notes that the chest tube is disconnected from the drainage system. Which of the following actions should the nurse take first?
Correct answer
D
Rationale
Placing the end of the chest tube in sterile water prevents air from entering the pleural space, which could cause a pneumothorax, making it the priority action.