Chest Tubes (The first 28 Questions are AI Generated)

Question 1

True or False: Chest tubes are used to remove air, blood, or fluid from the pleural space.

Answer 1

True

Question 2

What is the purpose of a water seal chamber in a chest tube setup?

Answer 2

To prevent air from re-entering the pleural space during inspiration

Question 3

Between a Wet Chest Tube and a Dry Chest Tube, which one should have constant bubbling? Or should it be both?

Answer 3

Just the Wet Chest Tube

Question 4

What is the normal range for water in the water seal chamber of a chest tube setup?

Answer 4

2 cm

Question 5

What should be done if the chest tube becomes disconnected from the drainage system?

Answer 5

Clamp the tube and immediately notify the healthcare provider

Question 6

What position should the patient be in when a chest tube is being inserted?

Answer 6

Sitting upright or in a high Fowler’s position

Question 7

What should the nurse assess for immediately after a chest tube insertion?

Answer 7

Breath sounds and respiratory distress

Question 8

What is the purpose of a Heimlich valve in a chest tube setup?

Answer 8

To prevent air from entering the chest cavity during exhalation

Question 9

What is the recommended frequency for assessing the chest tube drainage system?

Answer 9

Hourly

Question 10

What can be done to alleviate pain and discomfort at the chest tube insertion site?

Answer 10

Applying a sterile occlusive dressing

Question 11

What position should the chest tube drainage system be kept in?

Answer 11

Below the level of the patient’s chest

Question 12

What should the nurse do if there is no fluctuation in the water seal chamber?

Answer 12

Check for kinks or obstructions in the tubing

Question 13

What is the primary complication associated with chest tubes?

Answer 13

Pneumothorax

Question 14

What is the purpose of applying suction to a chest tube?

Answer 14

To promote drainage of air or fluid from the pleural space

Question 15

What should the nurse do if there is sudden and excessive bubbling in the water seal chamber?

Answer 15

Assess for a leak in the system

Question 16

What is the recommended method for securing a chest tube to the patient?

Answer 16

With an occlusive dressing and sutures

Question 17

What is the appropriate action if the chest tube accidentally becomes dislodged?

Answer 17

Cover the site with a sterile occlusive dressing and notify the healthcare provider

Question 18

What is the purpose of a chest tube stripping or milking procedure?

Answer 18

To facilitate drainage of clotted blood or fluid in the tubing

Question 19

What should the nurse do if the chest tube drainage suddenly stops?

Answer 19

Check for kinks or obstructions in the tubing

Question 20

What is the most common complication of chest tube insertion?

Answer 20

Subcutaneous emphysema

Question 21

What should the nurse do if there is continuous bubbling in the water seal chamber?

Answer 21

Check for air leaks in the system

Question 22

What is the recommended method for measuring chest tube drainage?

Answer 22

Using a calibrated drainage collection chamber

Question 23

What should the nurse do if the chest tube drainage exceeds 100 mL/hr?

Answer 23

Notify the healthcare provider immediately

Question 24

What is the purpose of a flutter valve in a chest tube setup?

Answer 24

To allow air to escape from the pleural space without allowing air to re-enter

Question 25

What is the appropriate action if the chest tube becomes accidentally pulled out?

Answer 25

Cover the site with a sterile occlusive dressing and notify the healthcare provider

Question 26

What is the primary goal of chest tube management?

Answer 26

To restore negative pressure in the pleural space

Question 27

What should the nurse do if the chest tube accidentally disconnects from the drainage system?

Answer 27

Clamp the tube and immediately reconnect to the drainage system

Question 28

What is the expected assessment finding immediately after chest tube insertion?

Answer 28

Initial bubbling in the water seal chamber

Question 29

Where should a chest tube end up after insertion? Why?

Answer 29

The Pleural Space (To drain fluid or air from the chest)

Question 30

What’re the other names for a Chest Tube?

Answer 30

Chest Drain Thoracic Catheter Thoracostomy Drain Intercostal Drain

Question 31

What is a Pneumothorax?

Answer 31

Partial to Complete Collapse of the Lung due to Air Accumulation in the Pleural Space

Question 32

What is a Hemothorax?

Answer 32

Partial to Complete Collapse of the Lung due to Blood Accumulation in the Pleural Space

Question 33

What does Pleural Effusion mean?

Answer 33

Abnormal accumulation of Fluid in the Pleural Space

Question 34

What is Pulmonary Empysema

Answer 34

Accumulation of Pus in the Pleural Space

Question 35

What can Pleural Empysema be caused by?

Answer 35

Pulmonary Infection + Lung Abscess + Infected Pleural Effusion

Question 36

Why might a Chest Tube be important Post-Operatively?

Answer 36

Postoperative Chest Drainage

Question 37

What are the manifestations of having fluid, air, or pus in the pleural space?

Answer 37

Dyspnea + Distended Neck Veins + Hemodynamic Instability + Pleuritic Chest Pain + Cough + Asymmetrical Chest Wall Motion Absent / Reduced Breath Sounds on the Affected Side (Pneumothorax) Dullness / Flatness on Percussion of the Affected Side (Hemothorax or Pleural Effusion)

Question 38

How should a pt with fluid, air, blood, or pus in their pleural space be positioned?

Answer 38

High Fowler’s (To Lower Their Diaphragm & Reduce Risk of Injury)

Question 39

How should a pt who’s getting a Chest Tube inserted be positioned?

Answer 39

Position them with the arm on their affected side raised above their head (Because it exposes the Midaxillary Area)

Question 40

What kind of Anesthetic is used for Chest Tube insertion?

Answer 40

Local Anesthetic

Question 41

How is Chest Tube placement confirmed?

Answer 41

Chest X-Ray

Question 42

What does the Chest Tube size depend on?

Answer 42

The reason for the Chest Tube

Question 43

What size chest tube is required for Hemothorax?

Answer 43

Large Tubes (36 - 40 F)

Question 44

What size chest tube is required for Pleural Effusion or Pulmonary Empyema?

Answer 44

Medium (24 - 36 F)

Question 45

What size chest tube is required for a Pneumothorax if the patient is tall, has a bunch of muscle, or obese?

Answer 45

Small (12 - 24 F)

Question 46

What size chest tube is required for a Pneumothorax if the patient is average or small sized?

Answer 46

Very Small (10 - 14 F), the curly end is designed to stay in place

Question 47

The standard Wet and Dry drainage systems should be set to what water height?

Answer 47

-20

Question 48

In order to ensure that the air leak monitor of a Wet or Dry Chest Tube is filled, the water should be filled to the-

Answer 48

2 cm Line

Question 49

The Air Leak Monitor of a Wet or Dry Chest Tube will show the severity Air Leak, this will be on a scale of-

Answer 49

1 (Less Severe) to 5 (Most Severe)

Question 50

What is Tidaling?

Answer 50

Movement of the fluid level with Respiration

Question 51

What does a Wet Chest Tube used to suction?

Answer 51

Gravity

Question 52

Does a Dry Chest Tube use gravity to suction like a Wet Chest Tube does?

Answer 52

No

Question 53

Should a Wet Chest Tube be held above or below the pt’s chest?

Answer 53

Below

Question 54

Should a Dry Chest Tube be kept above or below the pt’s chest?

Answer 54

Below

Question 55

What’s the difference between a Heinrich Valve and a Chest Tube?

Answer 55

It’s used in place of a Chest Drainage System for a Small, Uncomplicated Pneumothorax

Question 56

What’s important to keep in mind about a Heimlich Valve (Flutter Valve)?

Answer 56

It can be hid under clothing. Pt’s can be sent home with this valve in place

Question 57

How many minutes should a pt be medicated before a Chest Tube Insertion?

Answer 57

30 mins

Question 58

After a Chest Tube Insertion, what needs to be inspected for at the Insertion Site?

Answer 58

Subcutaneous Emphysema

Question 59

What needs to be done after Chest Tube Insertion?

Answer 59

Range Of Motion (ROM) Exercises to the Shoulder & Affected Site. Encourage use of ICS. Have pt Breathe Deeply Periodically (in order to promote Lung Expansion).

Question 60

For Chest Tube Drainage, when should a Provider be notified?

Answer 60

If Drainage is >100 mL/hr

Question 61

The Collection Chamber of a Chest Tube is full. What do you do?

Answer 61

Replace the Collection Chamber, DON’T EMPTY IT

Question 62

What should you never do to Chest Tubing?

Answer 62

Never Compress, Milk, or Strip Chest Tubing

Question 63

How often should a Chest Tube’s Dressing be changed?

Answer 63

Every 7 Days, if Soiled change ASAP

Question 64

A pt has a Chest Tube in, the fluid in the Chest Tube isn’t Rising or Falling when the breathe in and out. What may be going on?

Answer 64

The Drainage System may be Blocked. The Lungs may have Re-Expanded.

Question 65

When should a System Leak be expected for pt’s with a Chest Tube?

Answer 65

When Bubbling is Continuous

Question 66

A System Leak is suspected for a pt with a Chest Tube, what needs to be done?

Answer 66

Retake the Tubing Connections

Question 67

The the pt’s Chest Tube is disconnected, what needs to be done?

Answer 67

Place it into a container of Sterile Water as an Emergency Seal

Question 68

When removing a Chest Tube, the Suction is discontinued but the Chest Tube is allowed to drain via Gravity. How long is this allowed to happen for?

Answer 68

24 hrs

Question 69

When should Analgesics be administered before Chest Tube removal?

Answer 69

30-60 mins

Question 70

Whenever the Chest Tube insertion site is covered with an Airtight, Occlusive Dressing, how long will it take for the wound to heal and for the Pleura to close off?

Answer 70

In a Few Days

Question 71

After a Chest Tube Removal, why is a Chest-X Ray required? When should it be done?

Answer 71

Should be done after ~1 hr (To check for a Pneumothorax or Fluid Re-Accumulation)