Complications
Air leaking from the lung can travel under the skin, causing swelling that crackles upon palpation. What is this complication called?
What is Subcutaneous emphysema
This condition involves air accumulating in the pleural space, causing the lung on that side to collapse
what is Pneumothorax
According to standards, how frequently should the nurse assess a patient with a chest tube (at minimum, once the patient is stabilized)?
what is At least every 4 hours
The chest tube becomes disconnected from the drainage system (the tubing accidentally comes apart, and the tube is open to air). What is the first thing the nurse should do?
what is Clamp the chest tube
Chest tube insertion disrupts the chest wall and pleural space, posing a risk of infection. What infection of the pleural space can result if bacteria enter, or if an existing pneumonia complicates a chest tube?
what is Empyema or site infection
This term refers to an accumulation of blood in the pleural cavity, often due to trauma, that can collapse the lung.
what is Hemothorax
When assessing the chest tube insertion site, what should the nurse inspect and palpate for?
what is Check for signs of infection
A patient coughs and accidentally dislodges their chest tube – it comes completely out of the chest. What immediate action should the nurse take at the insertion site?
what is Cover the chest opening with a sterile occlusive dressing, taped on three sides
Chest tube placement can sometimes damage intercostal blood vessels or lung tissue. What complication might you suspect if a patient with a new chest tube suddenly has a large volume of bloody output or signs of shock?
what is Hemorrhage (bleeding)
An infection in the pleural space can lead to pus accumulating around the lungs. What is this purulent pleural effusion called?
what is mpyema
How should a nurse monitor the amount of chest tube drainage, and how often?
what is Measure and document drainage output regularly
You suspect a tension pneumothorax is developing in a patient (for example, they have deviated trachea, distended neck veins, hypotension, and acute respiratory distress) despite having a chest tube in place. What life-saving procedure should be performed immediately?
what is Needle decompression (needle thoracostomy)
Removing large volumes of fluid or air too quickly from the pleural space can sometimes lead to a rare but serious complication characterized by pulmonary edema after lung re expansion. What is this called?
what is Re-expansion pulmonary edema,
A buildup of fluid (exudate or transudate) in the pleural space that can compress the lung is broadly termed what?
what is Pleural effusion
Chest tubes are painful because of the sensitive pleural membranes. What comfort and respiratory assessments are important for the nurse to perform related to pain?
what is Assess the patient’s pain level
Certain emergency supplies should always be kept at the bedside of a patient with a chest tube, in case the tube becomes disconnected or dislodged. Name one of these key items.
what is Keep a chest tube emergency kit
Clamping a chest tube without an open airway for an ongoing air leak can precipitate this acute complication, as air gets trapped in the pleural space again under pressure. (This is why chest tubes are generally not clamped routinely.)
what is Tension pneumothorax
In this life-threatening scenario, air enters the pleural space on inhalation and cannot escape, causing increased intrathoracic pressure, mediastinal shift, and severe respiratory distress.
what is Tension pneumothorax –
During your respiratory assessment of a patient with a chest tube, you notice the patient’s trachea has shifted away from the affected side (tracheal deviation). What critical complication might this indicate?
what is tension pneumothorax .
True or False – If a chest tube drains more than 100 mL of blood per hour (after the f irst hour post-insertion), it should be considered an emergency and the provider notified immediately.
what is True. Drainage >100 mL/hour (especially of bright red blood) after the initial post-op perio