The nurse is evaluating a patient who has a chest tube.To properly maintain chest tube function,what is the nurse's best action?
A) Strip the tube every hour to maintain drainage.
B) Place the device below the patient's chest.
C) Double clamp the tubes except during assessments.
D) Remove the tubing from the drainage device to check for proper suctioning.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Observe the chest drainage system to be sure it is upright and below the level of tube insertion.Most institution have stopped stripping the chest tube because this greatly increases intrapleural pressure unless the patient is fresh from postoperative thoracic surgery or has chest trauma.Chest tubes are only clamped under specific circumstances per health care provider's order or nursing policy to assess for an air leak,to quickly empty or change disposable drainage systems,or to assess if the chest tube is ready to be removed.Clamping the chest tube is not recommended because it may result in a tension pneumothorax,a life-threatening event.Removing the tubing would cause a disruption in the suctioning of the chest tube and should not be done.

The Nurse Is Evaluating a Patient Who Has a Chest