Chest Tubes (The first 28 Questions are AI Generated) Flashcards

1
Q

True or False: Chest tubes are used to remove air, blood, or fluid from the pleural space.

A

True

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2
Q

What is the purpose of a water seal chamber in a chest tube setup?

A

To prevent air from re-entering the pleural space during inspiration

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3
Q

Between a Wet Chest Tube and a Dry Chest Tube, which one should have constant bubbling? Or should it be both?

A

Just the Wet Chest Tube

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4
Q

What is the normal range for water in the water seal chamber of a chest tube setup?

A

2 cm

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5
Q

What should be done if the chest tube becomes disconnected from the drainage system?

A

Clamp the tube and immediately notify the healthcare provider

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6
Q

What position should the patient be in when a chest tube is being inserted?

A

Sitting upright or in a high Fowler’s position

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7
Q

What should the nurse assess for immediately after a chest tube insertion?

A

Breath sounds and respiratory distress

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8
Q

What is the purpose of a Heimlich valve in a chest tube setup?

A

To prevent air from entering the chest cavity during exhalation

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9
Q

What is the recommended frequency for assessing the chest tube drainage system?

A

Hourly

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10
Q

What can be done to alleviate pain and discomfort at the chest tube insertion site?

A

Applying a sterile occlusive dressing

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11
Q

What position should the chest tube drainage system be kept in?

A

Below the level of the patient’s chest

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12
Q

What should the nurse do if there is no fluctuation in the water seal chamber?

A

Check for kinks or obstructions in the tubing

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13
Q

What is the primary complication associated with chest tubes?

A

Pneumothorax

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14
Q

What is the purpose of applying suction to a chest tube?

A

To promote drainage of air or fluid from the pleural space

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15
Q

What should the nurse do if there is sudden and excessive bubbling in the water seal chamber?

A

Assess for a leak in the system

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16
Q

What is the recommended method for securing a chest tube to the patient?

A

With an occlusive dressing and sutures

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17
Q

What is the appropriate action if the chest tube accidentally becomes dislodged?

A

Cover the site with a sterile occlusive dressing and notify the healthcare provider

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18
Q

What is the purpose of a chest tube stripping or milking procedure?

A

To facilitate drainage of clotted blood or fluid in the tubing

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19
Q

What should the nurse do if the chest tube drainage suddenly stops?

A

Check for kinks or obstructions in the tubing

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20
Q

What is the most common complication of chest tube insertion?

A

Subcutaneous emphysema

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21
Q

What should the nurse do if there is continuous bubbling in the water seal chamber?

A

Check for air leaks in the system

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22
Q

What is the recommended method for measuring chest tube drainage?

A

Using a calibrated drainage collection chamber

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23
Q

What should the nurse do if the chest tube drainage exceeds 100 mL/hr?

A

Notify the healthcare provider immediately

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24
Q

What is the purpose of a flutter valve in a chest tube setup?

A

To allow air to escape from the pleural space without allowing air to re-enter

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25
Q

What is the appropriate action if the chest tube becomes accidentally pulled out?

A

Cover the site with a sterile occlusive dressing and notify the healthcare provider

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26
Q

What is the primary goal of chest tube management?

A

To restore negative pressure in the pleural space

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27
Q

What should the nurse do if the chest tube accidentally disconnects from the drainage system?

A

Clamp the tube and immediately reconnect to the drainage system

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28
Q

What is the expected assessment finding immediately after chest tube insertion?

A

Initial bubbling in the water seal chamber

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29
Q

Where should a chest tube end up after insertion? Why?

A

The Pleural Space (To drain fluid or air from the chest)

30
Q

What’re the other names for a Chest Tube?

A

Chest Drain
Thoracic Catheter
Thoracostomy Drain
Intercostal Drain

31
Q

What is a Pneumothorax?

A

Partial to Complete Collapse of the Lung due to Air Accumulation in the Pleural Space

32
Q

What is a Hemothorax?

A

Partial to Complete Collapse of the Lung due to Blood Accumulation in the Pleural Space

33
Q

What does Pleural Effusion mean?

A

Abnormal accumulation of Fluid in the Pleural Space

34
Q

What is Pulmonary Empysema

A

Accumulation of Pus in the Pleural Space

35
Q

What can Pleural Empysema be caused by?

A

Pulmonary Infection + Lung Abscess + Infected Pleural Effusion

36
Q

Why might a Chest Tube be important Post-Operatively?

A

Postoperative Chest Drainage

37
Q

What are the manifestations of having fluid, air, or pus in the pleural space?

A

Dyspnea + Distended Neck Veins + Hemodynamic Instability + Pleuritic Chest Pain + Cough + Asymmetrical Chest Wall Motion

Absent / Reduced Breath Sounds on the Affected Side (Pneumothorax)

Dullness / Flatness on Percussion of the Affected Side (Hemothorax or Pleural Effusion)

38
Q

How should a pt with fluid, air, blood, or pus in their pleural space be positioned?

A

High Fowler’s (To Lower Their Diaphragm & Reduce Risk of Injury)

39
Q

How should a pt who’s getting a Chest Tube inserted be positioned?

A

Position them with the arm on their affected side raised above their head (Because it exposes the Midaxillary Area)

40
Q

What kind of Anesthetic is used for Chest Tube insertion?

A

Local Anesthetic

41
Q

How is Chest Tube placement confirmed?

A

Chest X-Ray

42
Q

What does the Chest Tube size depend on?

A

The reason for the Chest Tube

43
Q

What size chest tube is required for Hemothorax?

A

Large Tubes (36 - 40 F)

44
Q

What size chest tube is required for Pleural Effusion or Pulmonary Empyema?

A

Medium (24 - 36 F)

45
Q

What size chest tube is required for a Pneumothorax if the patient is tall, has a bunch of muscle, or obese?

A

Small (12 - 24 F)

46
Q

What size chest tube is required for a Pneumothorax if the patient is average or small sized?

A

Very Small (10 - 14 F), the curly end is designed to stay in place

47
Q

The standard Wet and Dry drainage systems should be set to what water height?

A

-20

48
Q

In order to ensure that the air leak monitor of a Wet or Dry Chest Tube is filled, the water should be filled to the-

A

2 cm Line

49
Q

The Air Leak Monitor of a Wet or Dry Chest Tube will show the severity Air Leak, this will be on a scale of-

A

1 (Less Severe) to 5 (Most Severe)

50
Q

What is Tidaling?

A

Movement of the fluid level with Respiration

51
Q

What does a Wet Chest Tube used to suction?

A

Gravity

52
Q

Does a Dry Chest Tube use gravity to suction like a Wet Chest Tube does?

A

No

53
Q

Should a Wet Chest Tube be held above or below the pt’s chest?

A

Below

54
Q

Should a Dry Chest Tube be kept above or below the pt’s chest?

A

Below

55
Q

What’s the difference between a Heinrich Valve and a Chest Tube?

A

It’s used in place of a Chest Drainage System for a Small, Uncomplicated Pneumothorax

56
Q

What’s important to keep in mind about a Heimlich Valve (Flutter Valve)?

A

It can be hid under clothing. Pt’s can be sent home with this valve in place

57
Q

How many minutes should a pt be medicated before a Chest Tube Insertion?

A

30 mins

58
Q

After a Chest Tube Insertion, what needs to be inspected for at the Insertion Site?

A

Subcutaneous Emphysema

59
Q

What needs to be done after Chest Tube Insertion?

A

Range Of Motion (ROM) Exercises to the Shoulder & Affected Site.

Encourage use of ICS.

Have pt Breathe Deeply Periodically (in order to promote Lung Expansion).

60
Q

For Chest Tube Drainage, when should a Provider be notified?

A

If Drainage is >100 mL/hr

61
Q

The Collection Chamber of a Chest Tube is full. What do you do?

A

Replace the Collection Chamber, DON’T EMPTY IT

62
Q

What should you never do to Chest Tubing?

A

Never Compress, Milk, or Strip Chest Tubing

63
Q

How often should a Chest Tube’s Dressing be changed?

A

Every 7 Days, if Soiled change ASAP

64
Q

A pt has a Chest Tube in, the fluid in the Chest Tube isn’t Rising or Falling when the breathe in and out.
What may be going on?

A

The Drainage System may be Blocked.

The Lungs may have Re-Expanded.

65
Q

When should a System Leak be expected for pt’s with a Chest Tube?

A

When Bubbling is Continuous

66
Q

A System Leak is suspected for a pt with a Chest Tube, what needs to be done?

A

Retake the Tubing Connections

67
Q

The the pt’s Chest Tube is disconnected, what needs to be done?

A

Place it into a container of Sterile Water as an Emergency Seal

68
Q

When removing a Chest Tube, the Suction is discontinued but the Chest Tube is allowed to drain via Gravity.
How long is this allowed to happen for?

A

24 hrs

69
Q

When should Analgesics be administered before Chest Tube removal?

A

30-60 mins

70
Q

Whenever the Chest Tube insertion site is covered with an Airtight, Occlusive Dressing, how long will it take for the wound to heal and for the Pleura to close off?

A

In a Few Days

71
Q

After a Chest Tube Removal, why is a Chest-X Ray required? When should it be done?

A

Should be done after ~1 hr (To check for a Pneumothorax or Fluid Re-Accumulation)