You are caring for a client status post lung resection. When assessing your client you find that the bubbling in the water-seal chamber for the chest tubes is more than you expected. What should you check when bubbling in the water-seal chamber is excessive?
A) See if the chest tube is clogged.
B) See if the wall suction unit has malfunctioned.
C) See if a kink has developed in the tubing.
D) See if there are leaks in the system.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Excessive bubbling in the water-seal chamber may indicate an air leak in the system. Therefore, the nurse should check for leaks in the system, such as around the chest tube insertion site, the tubing connections, or the dressing. If an air leak is not identified, then the nurse should check for other potential causes, such as a kink in the tubing or a clogged chest tube. However, a malfunctioning wall suction unit is not likely to cause excessive bubbling in the water-seal chamber.

You Are Caring for a Client Status Post Lung Resection