The nurse is caring for a client who has a chest tube.Upon assessment,the nurse notes that there is continuous bubbling of water in the suction container of the chest tube but very little if any bubbling in the water seal chamber.Which is the nurse's best action at this time?
A)Contact respiratory therapy for immediate assistance.
B)Reposition the client to the affected side.
C)Auscultate the client's lungs,paying close attention to the area near the chest tube.
D)Wait 15 minutes and reassess the client.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Continuous bubbling in the suction control chamber is expected when the suction is applied and working correctly. However, the absence of bubbling in the water seal chamber could indicate that there is no air leak from the patient, which is generally a good sign unless there is an expected air leak that is not present, indicating a possible issue with the chest tube system. Auscultating the client's lungs, especially near the chest tube insertion site, is the best immediate action to assess for proper lung expansion and to check for any signs of pneumothorax or other complications.

The Nurse Is Caring for a Client Who Has a Chest