Chest tube basics
What is the name of the device that collects fluid or air from the chest tube?
What is a chest drainage system or collection chamber
How often should you assess the drainage in the collection chamber?
What should you do if the chest tube system tips over?
What is upright the system and ensure it is working correctly
What medical condition requires a chest tube for pneumothorax management?
What is a collapsed lung?
What is the typical suction pressure range applied to a chest tube?
What is -20cm H2O
What should you do if a chest tube accidentally dislodges?
What is apply a sterile occlusive dressing, notify the provider, and monitor the patient
What is the first step if the chest tube is not draining properly?
What is check for kinks, dependent loops or blockages in the tubing
What is the name of the procedure used to insert a chest tube?
What is a Thoracostomy
What is the purpose of the water seal chamber?
What is to prevent air from re-entering the pleural space
How can you check for an air leak in the system?
What is by clamping the tubing briefly or observing for bubbling in the water seal chamber
What life threatening complication can occur if the chest tube is not functioning properly?
What is a tension pneumothorax
True or false: Chest tubes can only drain air from the pleural space.
What is false
Which part of the chest tube system shows bubbling when there is an air leak?
What is the water seal chamber
True or False: Nurses should clamp chest tubes routinely to prevent drainage.
What could excessive drainage (over 200mL per hour) indicate?
Name 2 conditions that might require a chest tube placement.
What are pneumothorax and hemothorax
What is the purpose of the suction control chamber?
What is to regulate the amount of suction applied to the chest tube system
What position is best for a patient with a chest tube to promote drainage?
What is semi-fowlers
What is the appropriate intervention if the chest tube is accidently disconnected from the patient?