What is the priority nursing action once a chest tube has been inserted and the patient is stabilized?

The priority nursing action after a chest tube has been inserted and the patient is stabilized is to assess vital signs. This action is essential because vital signs provide critical information about the patient's physiological status and can indicate how well they are tolerating the chest tube and whether any complications, such as pneumothorax or infection, may be developing. Monitoring vital signs helps in identifying any changes that may require immediate intervention or indicate the effectiveness of the chest tube in improving respiratory function.

While auscultating lung fields, inspecting the insertion site, and documenting patient care are all important steps in the nursing process, they can follow the initial assessment of vital signs. Auscultation will provide information on breath sounds and whether the tube is functioning properly, inspecting the insertion site ensures proper healing and that there are no signs of infection or complications, and documentation is critical for legal and continuity of care reasons. However, the immediate priority after insertion is monitoring the vital signs to ensure the patient remains stable.