What should a nurse prioritize when caring for a patient during a thoracentesis?

In the context of a thoracentesis, the primary focus for a nurse is to ensure the patient's safety and maintain the integrity of the procedure. Helping to attach tubes and monitoring vital signs during the procedure is crucial because it allows for the immediate detection of potential complications, such as pneumothorax or abnormal vital sign changes, that may indicate distress or adverse reactions. Close monitoring enables timely interventions, ensuring that the patient remains stable throughout the process.

While the other options emphasize important aspects of patient care, they play secondary roles during thoracentesis. Administering intravenous medication may be necessary in certain situations but is not the immediate priority during the procedure itself. Adjusting the patient's position may be needed for comfort but can often remain static once the optimal position is established. Providing emotional support is certainly valuable and important for the patient’s psychological well-being, yet it should be integrated without detracting from the technical and monitoring responsibilities that ensure procedural safety. Thus, the priority remains on actively monitoring and managing the patient's physiological responses during this invasive procedure.