MEDizzy - During the first 36 hours after the insertion of chest

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Respiratory System

During the first 36 hours after the insertion of chest tubes, when assessing the function of a three-chamber, closed-chest drainage system, the nurse identifies that the water in the underwater seal tube is not fluctuating. What initial action should the nurse take?

ExplanationD. Once the drainage tube is patent, the fluctuation in the water column will resume; a lack of fluctuation because of lung reexpansion is unlikely 36 hours after a traumatic open chest injury. A. This may be done eventually, but this is not the priority at this time. B. This is unnecessary at this time; the chest tube is occluded, and nursing intervention should be attempted first. C. This will compromise aeration of the unaffected lung