A 58-year-old female with a known malignancy presents with dyspnea and pleuritic chest pain. Vital signs reveal a respiratory rate of 24 breaths per minute, blood pressure of 140/85 mmHg, heart rate of 110 beats per minute, and oxygen saturation at 89% on room air. Physical examination notes dullness to percussion and absent breath sounds over the left lower chest. Chest radiography confirms a large left-sided pleural effusion. What would be the next best step for the nurse to facilitate in managing this patient’s condition?
Facilitate ultrasound-guided thoracentesis to alleviate symptoms and obtain fluid analysis.
Arrange immediate placement of a chest tube for continuous drainage.
Recommend serial chest radiographs every 6 hours to monitor progression.
Commence broad-spectrum antibiotics while awaiting fluid culture results.