chest tubes

Question 1

• Apical or Basilar

Answer 1

• Apical chest tube removes Air

* Basilar chest tube removes Blood or fluid (due to gravity)

Question 2

Bubbling is expected with

Answer 2

air

Question 3

Bubbling shouldn’t be present with

Answer 3

draining fluid

Question 4

Were would you place a chest tube for a postop right pneumonectomy?

Answer 4

would not need a chest rube (removal of lung)

Question 5

If a chest tube gets pulled out …

Answer 5

1. Take a gloved hand and cover the opening (first step)

2. Take a sterile Vaseline gauze and tape 3 sides (best step)

Question 6

Bubbling … Where? In the water seal chamber

Answer 6

o If it is intermittent, it is good (document it)

o If it is continuous, it is bad and indicates a break/leak in the system (find it and tape it)

Question 7

Bubbling … Where? In the suction control chamber

Answer 7

o If it is intermittent, suction pressure is too low (increase it at the wall until it is
continuous)
o If it is continuous, it is good (document it)