NCLEX CRUSADE ACADEMY TEST - 11 CHEST TUBE PRACTICE QUESTIONS

1. The primary goal of chest tube therapy is to: Increase blood pressure. Remove air or fluid from the pleural space. Administer oxygen. Deliver medications.

2. Which nursing action promotes lung expansion after thoracic surgery?. Restrict coughing. Encourage coughing and deep breathing. Keep patient flat. Clamp chest tube.

3. An airtight dressing over a chest tube insertion site is important because it: Prevents fluid drainage. Prevents air entering the pleural space. Improves circulation. Reduces pain.

4. Pins should never be used to secure chest tube tubing because: They are uncomfortable. They can puncture or obstruct the tubing. They are expensive. They slow drainage.

5. Clamping a chest tube unnecessarily can cause: Improved drainage. Increased oxygenation. Tension pneumothorax. Decreased pressure.

6. The chest drainage device should be positioned: Above the patient. At chest level. Below the patients chest. On the bed.

7. The nurse notices a patient accidentally pulled out the chest tube. What is the first action?. Call the provider. Apply sterile occlusive dressing taped on three sides. Reinsert the tube. Ignore until provider arrives.

8. When a chest tube is removed accidentally, the dressing should be taped: On one side. On two sides. On three sides. On four sides.

9. When the chest tube drainage system becomes disconnected from tubing, the nurse should: Clamp the tube. Insert tube end into sterile water. Remove the chest tube. Turn patient on side.

10. High Fowlers positioning benefits chest tube patients because it: Reduces circulation. Improves lung expansion. Prevents drainage. Increases pressure.

11. Ambulating a stable patient with a chest tube helps: Stop drainage. Improve lung expansion and drainage. Reduce oxygen levels. Prevent coughing.

12. Chest tube output should initially be monitored: Once daily. Once per shift. Hourly then every few hours. Weekly.

13. Subcutaneous emphysema occurs when: Air leaks into tissues under the skin. Fluid accumulates in lungs. Blood collects in pleural space. Oxygen levels increase.

14. The characteristic feeling of subcutaneous emphysema during palpation is: Smooth skin. Warm swelling. Crackling sensation. Hard mass.

15. Absence of tidaling in the water seal chamber may indicate: Lung re-expansion. System obstruction. Either A or B. Equipment failure only.

16. The nurse should assess lung sounds when tidaling stops to determine: Patient comfort. Lung expansion versus obstruction. Blood pressure. Pain level.

17. If lung sounds are clear and equal when tidaling stops, the likely explanation is: Tube obstruction. Lung re-expansion. Pneumothorax. Air leak.

18. Diminished lung sounds when tidaling stops may indicate: Lung expansion. Tube obstruction. Normal condition. Oxygen toxicity.

19. In chest tube management, nurses should: Immediately fix problems without assessment. Assess before acting unless emergency. Always call provider first. Ignore minor problems.

20. The key principle in NCLEX prioritization with chest tubes is: Memorization. Critical thinking and stabilization. Immediate medication. Bed rest.

21. Chest tubes function by restoring: Positive intrathoracic pressure. Negative intrathoracic pressure. Blood oxygen levels. Heart rate.

22. Preventing tension pneumothorax requires: Maintaining system integrity. Clamping tubes. Removing dressings. Keeping device above chest.

23. A nurse should prioritize stabilization over: Oxygen administration. Calling the provider. Airway support. Patient monitoring.

24. The purpose of the water seal chamber is to: Collect drainage. Act as one-way valve for air. Control suction. Store oxygen.

25. Effective chest tube nursing care focuses primarily on: Documentation. Patient safety and lung expansion. Medication administration. Laboratory monitoring.