A physician tells the nurse that he wants to orally intubate a client with a No. 8 endotracheal tube.

A physician tells the nurse that he wants to orally intubate a client with a No. 8 endotracheal tube.

The finding of normal breath sounds on the right side of the chest and diminished, distant breath sounds on the left side of the chest of a newly intubated client is probably due to:
A . A left hemothorax
B . A right hemothorax
C . Intubation of the right mainstem bronchus
D . An inadequate mechanical ventilator

View Answer

Answer: C

Explanation:

(A) Although a left hemothorax could cause diminished and distant breath sounds, it is irrelevant to this situation.

(B) A right hemothorax will not cause diminished and distant breath sounds on the left side of the chest.

(C) The right mainstem bronchus is most frequently intubated in error because the angle of the right mainstem bronchus is very small as compared with that of the left mainstem bronchus. Because ventilation is only occurring on the right side, the nurse would auscultate diminished and distant breath sounds on the left.

(D) An inadequate mechanical ventilator has no relationship to this situation.