Chest tube drainage
Topic: Medical-surgical
A tube in the pleural space, joined to a closed system with a one-way water seal, drains air, fluid or blood so the lung can re-expand. Keep the unit upright, below chest level, with no kinked tubing. Water rising and falling with breathing in the water seal is normal; constant bubbling means an air leak. Record drainage amount and color; report cloudy drainage or drainage averaging more than 200 mL an hour for 4 hours. If the tube disconnects, put its end in sterile water; if it comes out, cover the site with a sterile occlusive dressing taped on three sides and notify the provider at once.
- Also known as:
- Chest tube, Closed chest drainage, Water-seal drainage, Thoracostomy tube
- In Turkish:
- Kapalı su altı drenajı
What does Chest tube drainage mean?
Chest tube drainage is part of the Medical-surgical topic in nursing. Students meet it in class, on clinical placements and while preparing for exams.
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