# A nurse suspects an air embolism in a client with a central venous catheter who suddenly develops dyspnea and chest pain. Place the following actions in the correct order.

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> url: https://mymerci.kr/pages/nclex_q.php?qn_id=620070&lang=en  
> language: en  
> subject: Medical Emergencies  
> category: PA

## Question

A nurse suspects an air embolism in a client with a central venous catheter who suddenly develops dyspnea and chest pain. Place the following actions in the correct order.

Administer 100% oxygen.

Clamp the central line.

Notify the healthcare provider.

Place the client in left lateral Trendelenburg position.

Monitor vital signs and prepare for possible aspiration.

## Explanation

Clamping the central line prevents further air entry. Positioning the client in left lateral Trendelenburg traps air in the right atrium, preventing it from entering the pulmonary artery. Administering 100% oxygen helps reduce the size of the air embolus by promoting nitrogen washout. The healthcare provider must be notified for further intervention, which may include aspiration of air. Monitoring vital signs is essential to detect deterioration. This sequence addresses the source, traps the air, supports oxygenation, and initiates medical management.

## In-depth explanation

Quick answer
Clamping the central line prevents further air entry. Positioning the client in left lateral Trendelenburg traps air in the right atrium, preventing it from entering the pulmonary artery. Administering 100% oxygen helps reduce the size of the air embolus by promoting nitrogen washout. The healthcare provider must be notified for further intervention, which may include aspiration of air. Monitoring vital signs is essential to detect deterioration. This sequence addresses the source, traps the air, supports oxygenation, and initiates medical management.
Key cues
Use the client-specific assessment findings and timing in the scenario rather than a memorized diagnosis label.
Clinical reasoning
Connect the relevant cues to the safest nursing interpretation and action for this exact care setting.
Why the alternatives do not fit
The distractors are plausible in another context but are unsupported, mistimed, lower priority, or incomplete for the findings presented.
Priority and safety
Address immediate threats first, stay within nursing scope, and reassess the client after the selected intervention.
Takeaway
For central-line air embolism response, select responses that are both clinically supported and appropriate at this point in care.
**Sources**
- Open RN Nursing Skills 2e

## Clinical scenario

A nurse suspects an air embolism in a client with a central venous catheter who suddenly develops dyspnea and chest pain. Place the following actions in the correct order.

## Key concepts

- **air embolism** — A potentially fatal condition where air enters the venous system and obstructs blood flow, often associated with central lines.
- **Priority assessment** — Focused assessment used to identify the most urgent client need.
- **Safety intervention** — A nursing action selected to reduce immediate preventable harm.

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