After a stab wound to the chest, a client develops a pneumothorax and has a chest tube inserted in the emergency room (ER) that is connected to a self-contained underwater-seal drainage system (pleur-evac). Select the action the ER nurse should take first when she notices that the second chamber has stopped bubbling.
A)Remove any blockages from the drainage tube.
B)Tape all connections to eliminate leaks in the system.
C)Change out the drainage system because the first one is obviously defective.
D)Increase the suction to 120 mm Hg negative pressure.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

When the second chamber stops bubbling, it indicates that the drainage system may be blocked, either by a clot or other material. The nurse should first check for any blockages in the drainage tube and remove them to allow the fluid to continue to drain properly. This will avoid complications such as tension pneumothorax or hemothorax, which can be life-threatening. The other options are not appropriate or necessary at this point, as the system may not be defective and suction should not be increased without first addressing the potential blockage.

After a Stab Wound to the Chest, a Client Develops