While the nurse is providing morning hygiene for a client who has a chest tube, the client has rolled over quickly and the chest tube has become disconnected from the drainage unit. How should the nurse first respond to this event?
A) Submerge the end of the tube in sterile water.
B) Clamp the tube near the end and also near the insertion point.
C) Place the end of the tube on a sterile surface and seek help promptly.
D) Clean the end of the tube with an alcohol swab and reconnect it to the drainage unit.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The first response should be to submerge the end of the tube in sterile water to prevent air from entering the pleural space and potentially causing a pneumothorax. This action also maintains the water seal of the chest drainage system until a more permanent solution can be implemented.

While the Nurse Is Providing Morning Hygiene for a Client