Nursing Interventions: Pneumothorax

1. Listen to the patient’s fear and concerns.
2. Keep the patient as comfortable as possible.
3. Administer analgesics as necessary.
4. Assess the patient’s respiratory status.
5. Monitor ABG levels regularly as ordered.
6. Watched for complications signaled by pallor, grasping respirations, and sudden chest pain.
7. Encourage the patient to perform deep breathing exercises every hour when awake.
8. Carefully monitor vital signs at least every hour for indications of shock.
9. Listen for breath sounds over both lungs.
10. Prepare the patient for thoracotomy as indicated.