Support Equipment Flashcards
Chest tube function
Removes and prevents reentry of air or fluid from intrapleural or mediastinal space.
5 things a chest tube treats:
- Pneumothorax
- Hemothorax
- Pleural effusion
- Empyema
- Chylothorax
Chest tube seal type
Water
Chest tube exit location
Midaxillary, intercostal space
Nasogastric (NG) Tube Function and positioning:
Function: Keeps stomach empty and rests bowel. May allow access for medications or tube feedings.
Positioning: Do NOT position patient with head down to avoid gastric reflux.
Nasoenteric Feeding Tube function
Short-term enteral feedings. Can be advanced to stomach or small intestine.
Percutaneous Endoscopic Gastrostomy (PEG)/Jejunostomy (PEJ) Tube function
Provides long-term access for nourishment when oral feeding is not tolerated. May supplement oral nutrition.
Continuous Renal Replacement Therapy (CRRT) function
Controls fluid and solute balance in patients with acute renal failure.
Wound VAC function
Portable pump that suctions edemic fluid to hasten healing.
4 contraindications to wound VAC:
- Necrotic tissue or eschar in >30% of the wound
- Untreated osteomyelitis
- Malignancy in the wound
- Exposed arteries or veins
Rectal Tube function
Prevents soiling in critically ill patients with diarrhea and/or delivers medications.
Lumbar Drain function
Drains CSF from spinal cord and ventricles.
