While a client is receiving hygiene care, the chest tube becomes disconnected from the water-seal chest drainage unit (CDU). Which action should the nurse take immediately?

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The immediate action should be to place the disconnected end of the chest tube nearest the client into a bottle of sterile water to maintain the water seal and prevent air from entering the pleural space, which can lead to a pneumothorax. This is a temporary measure until the system can be safely reconnected or replaced.

While a Client Is Receiving Hygiene Care, the Chest Tube