In which position should the nurse place the client following a right pneumonectomy for tumor removal? A. Left lateral decubitus B. Right lateral decubitus C. Semi-Fowler's D. High Fowler's

In each position, the patient's body is placed differently: A. Left lateral decubitus: The patient is positioned on their left side. B. Right lateral decubitus: The patient is positioned on their right side. C. Semi-Fowler's: The patient is positioned in a semi-seated position, with their head and upper body at an angle of around 30-45 degrees. D. High Fowler's: The patient is positioned in an upright seated position, with their head and upper body at an angle of around 80-90 degrees.

Now we will evaluate each position in the context of a patient who just had a right pneumonectomy: A. Left lateral decubitus: This would place the remaining healthy left lung in a dependent position, which could facilitate better gas exchange and reduce the workload of the right side of the heart. B. Right lateral decubitus: This would place the removed lung's side in a dependent position, which may increase the risk of complications such as fluid accumulation or atelectasis. C. Semi-Fowler's: This position can aid in lung expansion, but it may not be enough to provide optimal lung function post-pneumonectomy. D. High Fowler's: This position promotes optimal lung expansion, as it allows the maximum amount of space for the healthy lung to expand and reduces pressure on the diaphragm.

Based on the evaluation of each position, option A (Left lateral decubitus) is the best choice for a patient following a right pneumonectomy. This position helps with optimal gas exchange and reduces the workload on the right side of the heart by placing the healthy lung in a dependent position.