[Wave]

New grad and , obviously new to p/o cardiac/ tele pt's. How do you do CPT? Do you go right over thoracotomy and chest tube sites? The thoracotomies that I have seen always seem quite raised/ red. Does this hurt the pt? Is it one of those "you just have to do it anyway" kinda things? I'm afraid to ask my preceptors as it seems like such a basic question.

Thanks
Wave

[al7139]

Wow,
In my hospital CPT is left to the RT's, not the nurses (I assume you are talking about Chest PT). If the pt is p/o, they may avoid the incision site, but they still give the CPT.
Hope this helps.
Amy

[Wave]

No, at my hospital, the nurses do chest PT and almost all breathing treatments. The only time I have seen a Respiratory Therapist is if we have somebody on Bi-pap machine. Then they come and set it up and are called to make any adjustments.

[Virgo_RN]

I don't know the answer to your question, but I'm thinking that premedicating for pain would be appropriate.