Summary
Summary ( 9 Questions)
A nurse is assessing a client who has a chest tube connected to a water seal drainage system. The nurse observes continuous bubbling in the water seal chamber.
What does this finding indicate?
Continuous bubbling in the water seal chamber indicates an air leak in the system, which can compromise the negative pressure needed for effective drainage of air and fluid from the pleural space. The nurse should locate the source of the air leak and take appropriate measures to correct it. Possible sources of air leak include loose connections, cracks or holes in the tubing or drainage container, or a leak in the lung tissue.
Intermittent bubbling in the water seal chamber during inspiration, expiration, or coughing is a normal finding that indicates that air is being removed from the pleural space. Continuous bubbling is abnormal and indicates an air leak.
The collection chamber is where fluid drained from the pleural space accumulates. The nurse should empty the collection chamber when it is full or according to facility policy. Bubbling in the collection chamber is not a normal finding and does not indicate a need to empty it.
Clamping the chest tube is not recommended unless ordered by the provider or necessary for changing the drainage system. Clamping the chest tube can cause a buildup of pressure in the pleural space and lead to complications such as tension pneumothorax.
An air leak in the system
Rationale: Continuous bubbling in the water seal chamber indicates an air leak in the system, which can compromise the negative pressure needed for effective drainage of air and fluid from the pleural space. The nurse should locate the source of the air leak and take appropriate measures to correct it. Possible sources of air leak include loose connections, cracks or holes in the tubing or drainage container, or a leak in the lung tissue.
Incorrect options:
B) A normal functioning of the system - Intermittent bubbling in the water seal chamber during inspiration, expiration, or coughing is a normal finding that indicates that air is being removed from the pleural space. Continuous bubbling is abnormal and indicates an air leak.
C) A need to empty the collection chamber - The collection chamber is where fluid drained from the pleural space accumulates. The nurse should empty the collection chamber when it is full or according to facility policy. Bubbling in the collection chamber is not a normal finding and does not indicate a need to empty it.
D) A need to clamp the chest tube - Clamping the chest tube is not recommended unless ordered by the provider or necessary for changing the drainage system. Clamping the chest tube can cause a buildup of pressure in the pleural space and lead to complications such as tension pneumothorax.