While palpating the anterior chest,the nurse notes crackling in the skin around the patient's chest tube insertion site.What should the nurse realize this finding indicates?

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Crackling in the skin around a chest tube insertion site is indicative of crepitus, which is caused by the presence of air in subcutaneous tissue. This can occur due to a variety of reasons such as a lung puncture or damage to other tissues. It is important for the nurse to recognize this finding as it may indicate a serious complication and requires further investigation.

While Palpating the Anterior Chest,the Nurse Notes Crackling in the Skin