A nurse is caring for a client who had a thoracentesis 2 hr ago. Which of the following findings should the nurse expect?

A. Increased lung expansion: Thoracentesis removes excess fluid from the pleural space, allowing the affected lung to re-expand more fully. Improved lung expansion is an expected therapeutic outcome within a few hours after the procedure, leading to easier breathing and improved ventilation. B. Rapid, shallow respirations: Rapid, shallow breathing may indicate respiratory distress or complications such as pneumothorax. This is not an expected finding and would require immediate evaluation. Its presence suggests impaired gas exchange rather than improvement after fluid removal. C. Crepitus at the puncture site: Crepitus indicates subcutaneous emphysema, which can occur if air leaks into the tissue during the procedure. This is an abnormal finding and may signal a pneumothorax or injury to lung tissue, requiring prompt provider notification. D. Dry, nonproductive cough: While a mild, transient cough may occur immediately after the procedure due to the change in intrathoracic pressure, a persistent or new, dry cough could indicate continued irritation or developing pleural complications, though less critical than the signs of pneumothorax.