The nurse sees that a patient with a chest tube has intermittent bubbling in the water-seal chamber 4 hours after the chest tube was inserted.What action by the nurse is most appropriate at this time?
A) Notify the physician.
B) Check for an air leak.
C) Listen to the lung sounds.
D) Document the findings.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Intermittent bubbling in the water-seal chamber can be normal as the lung re-expands and air is evacuated from the pleural space. Documenting the findings is appropriate unless there are other signs of complications.

The Nurse Sees That a Patient with a Chest Tube