A client is being transferred to the postanesthesia care unit (PACU)after surgery.The client has an endotracheal tube (ET)in place.On assessment,the client has oxygen saturation of 95%,respiratory rate of 14 breaths/min,and asymmetric chest wall expansion.What is the nurse's best action?

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The ET tube could have slipped into the right mainstem bronchus.Auscultating the lungs will help to confirm this; then the nurse should call the health care provider because the tube will need to be pulled back.Attempting to awaken the client will not change the asymmetric chest wall expansion,neither will "bagging" the client or increasing the fraction of inspired oxygen (FIO₂).Because the client's oxygen saturation is still within an acceptable range,this is not warranted.

A Client Is Being Transferred to the Postanesthesia Care Unit