Chest Tube And Drainage Device Care - NCLEX-PN
Card 1 of 24
Which option best describes the function of the water-seal chamber in a chest drain?
Which option best describes the function of the water-seal chamber in a chest drain?
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One-way valve that prevents air from re-entering the pleural space. Maintains negative pressure by allowing air and fluid to exit while blocking atmospheric air re-entry.
One-way valve that prevents air from re-entering the pleural space. Maintains negative pressure by allowing air and fluid to exit while blocking atmospheric air re-entry.
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What is the primary purpose of a chest tube connected to a drainage device?
What is the primary purpose of a chest tube connected to a drainage device?
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Remove air or fluid to re-expand lung and restore negative pressure. Restores intrapleural negative pressure essential for lung function by evacuating accumulated air or fluid from the pleural space.
Remove air or fluid to re-expand lung and restore negative pressure. Restores intrapleural negative pressure essential for lung function by evacuating accumulated air or fluid from the pleural space.
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Which option is the correct position for a chest drainage system relative to the chest?
Which option is the correct position for a chest drainage system relative to the chest?
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Below the level of the chest at all times. Prevents backflow of drainage into the chest by maintaining gravitational flow and negative pressure gradient.
Below the level of the chest at all times. Prevents backflow of drainage into the chest by maintaining gravitational flow and negative pressure gradient.
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What is the correct action if the drainage system tips over and the chambers mix?
What is the correct action if the drainage system tips over and the chambers mix?
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Set upright, assess patient, and notify RN/provider; replace if needed. Restores system integrity and assesses for complications while ensuring prompt intervention to maintain functionality.
Set upright, assess patient, and notify RN/provider; replace if needed. Restores system integrity and assesses for complications while ensuring prompt intervention to maintain functionality.
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Identify the expected finding in the water-seal chamber with normal respiration.
Identify the expected finding in the water-seal chamber with normal respiration.
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Tidaling (rise with inspiration, fall with expiration). Reflects normal intrapleural pressure changes during the respiratory cycle in a patent system.
Tidaling (rise with inspiration, fall with expiration). Reflects normal intrapleural pressure changes during the respiratory cycle in a patent system.
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What does continuous bubbling in the water-seal chamber most strongly indicate?
What does continuous bubbling in the water-seal chamber most strongly indicate?
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Air leak in the system. Suggests ongoing air entry exceeding normal tidaling, often from loose connections or pleural fistula.
Air leak in the system. Suggests ongoing air entry exceeding normal tidaling, often from loose connections or pleural fistula.
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What is the appropriate immediate nursing action when continuous bubbling is observed?
What is the appropriate immediate nursing action when continuous bubbling is observed?
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Check connections and tubing for leaks; notify RN/provider if unresolved. Identifies and resolves potential system leaks to prevent complications like tension pneumothorax.
Check connections and tubing for leaks; notify RN/provider if unresolved. Identifies and resolves potential system leaks to prevent complications like tension pneumothorax.
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What does the absence of tidaling in the water-seal chamber most commonly suggest?
What does the absence of tidaling in the water-seal chamber most commonly suggest?
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Lung re-expansion or tubing obstruction (kink/clot). Indicates resolution of pneumothorax or potential blockage impeding pressure transmission.
Lung re-expansion or tubing obstruction (kink/clot). Indicates resolution of pneumothorax or potential blockage impeding pressure transmission.
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What is the correct expected finding in the suction-control chamber when suction is applied?
What is the correct expected finding in the suction-control chamber when suction is applied?
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Gentle, continuous bubbling (wet suction) or indicator confirms suction (dry). Confirms effective application of prescribed suction to facilitate pleural evacuation.
Gentle, continuous bubbling (wet suction) or indicator confirms suction (dry). Confirms effective application of prescribed suction to facilitate pleural evacuation.
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Which option is the correct action if the suction is ordered but there is no bubbling/indicator?
Which option is the correct action if the suction is ordered but there is no bubbling/indicator?
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Verify wall suction, regulator setting, and tubing connections. Ensures proper suction delivery by troubleshooting equipment and setup issues systematically.
Verify wall suction, regulator setting, and tubing connections. Ensures proper suction delivery by troubleshooting equipment and setup issues systematically.
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Identify the priority assessment immediately after chest tube insertion.
Identify the priority assessment immediately after chest tube insertion.
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Respiratory status and breath sounds. Evaluates lung re-expansion and detects complications like pneumothorax or bleeding early.
Respiratory status and breath sounds. Evaluates lung re-expansion and detects complications like pneumothorax or bleeding early.
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What is the correct method to maintain tube patency during routine care?
What is the correct method to maintain tube patency during routine care?
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Keep tubing straight and free of dependent loops and kinks. Promotes continuous drainage and prevents occlusions that could lead to tension pneumothorax.
Keep tubing straight and free of dependent loops and kinks. Promotes continuous drainage and prevents occlusions that could lead to tension pneumothorax.
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Which option is the correct statement about stripping or milking chest tube tubing?
Which option is the correct statement about stripping or milking chest tube tubing?
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Do not strip routinely; only if specifically ordered per policy. Avoids high negative pressure surges that may damage lung tissue unless clinically indicated.
Do not strip routinely; only if specifically ordered per policy. Avoids high negative pressure surges that may damage lung tissue unless clinically indicated.
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What is the correct action if the chest tube becomes disconnected from the drainage tubing?
What is the correct action if the chest tube becomes disconnected from the drainage tubing?
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Place tube end in sterile water and notify RN/provider immediately. Restores water seal temporarily to prevent atmospheric air entry while seeking immediate help.
Place tube end in sterile water and notify RN/provider immediately. Restores water seal temporarily to prevent atmospheric air entry while seeking immediate help.
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What is the correct action if the chest tube is accidentally pulled out of the patient?
What is the correct action if the chest tube is accidentally pulled out of the patient?
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Apply sterile occlusive dressing taped on three sides; notify immediately. Seals the site to prevent air entry while allowing emergency intervention for complications.
Apply sterile occlusive dressing taped on three sides; notify immediately. Seals the site to prevent air entry while allowing emergency intervention for complications.
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Which option best explains why an occlusive dressing is taped on three sides after dislodgement?
Which option best explains why an occlusive dressing is taped on three sides after dislodgement?
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Creates a flutter valve to prevent tension pneumothorax. Facilitates air escape during exhalation but prevents influx, reducing tension pneumothorax risk.
Creates a flutter valve to prevent tension pneumothorax. Facilitates air escape during exhalation but prevents influx, reducing tension pneumothorax risk.
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Identify the correct routine site care for a chest tube insertion dressing.
Identify the correct routine site care for a chest tube insertion dressing.
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Maintain sterile occlusive dressing; change per policy using sterile technique. Prevents infection and maintains airtight seal at the insertion site per evidence-based protocols.
Maintain sterile occlusive dressing; change per policy using sterile technique. Prevents infection and maintains airtight seal at the insertion site per evidence-based protocols.
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What is the correct finding that suggests subcutaneous emphysema near the insertion site?
What is the correct finding that suggests subcutaneous emphysema near the insertion site?
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Crepitus (crackling) on palpation. Indicates air trapped under skin from leakage, detectable by palpation around the site.
Crepitus (crackling) on palpation. Indicates air trapped under skin from leakage, detectable by palpation around the site.
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Which option is the priority action if new or worsening subcutaneous emphysema is noted?
Which option is the priority action if new or worsening subcutaneous emphysema is noted?
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Assess respiratory status and notify RN/provider promptly. Addresses potential air leak progression that could compromise respiratory function urgently.
Assess respiratory status and notify RN/provider promptly. Addresses potential air leak progression that could compromise respiratory function urgently.
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What is the correct way to manage chest tube clamps at the bedside?
What is the correct way to manage chest tube clamps at the bedside?
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Keep clamps available; do not clamp routinely unless ordered. Prepares for emergencies like disconnection while avoiding routine use that risks tension pneumothorax.
Keep clamps available; do not clamp routinely unless ordered. Prepares for emergencies like disconnection while avoiding routine use that risks tension pneumothorax.
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Identify the correct action when transporting a patient with a chest drainage system.
Identify the correct action when transporting a patient with a chest drainage system.
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Keep system below chest, upright, and avoid dependent loops in tubing. Ensures continuous drainage and system integrity during movement to prevent complications.
Keep system below chest, upright, and avoid dependent loops in tubing. Ensures continuous drainage and system integrity during movement to prevent complications.
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Which option is the correct documentation related to chest tube output?
Which option is the correct documentation related to chest tube output?
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Record amount, color, and characteristics at ordered intervals. Tracks trends in pleural output to detect complications like hemorrhage or infection early.
Record amount, color, and characteristics at ordered intervals. Tracks trends in pleural output to detect complications like hemorrhage or infection early.
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What is the correct action if drainage suddenly increases markedly or becomes bright red?
What is the correct action if drainage suddenly increases markedly or becomes bright red?
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Assess patient and notify RN/provider immediately. Indicates possible hemorrhage or complication requiring immediate evaluation and intervention.
Assess patient and notify RN/provider immediately. Indicates possible hemorrhage or complication requiring immediate evaluation and intervention.
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Identify the correct patient instruction to promote drainage and prevent complications.
Identify the correct patient instruction to promote drainage and prevent complications.
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Perform deep breathing, coughing, and incentive spirometry as tolerated. Enhances lung expansion and drainage while reducing atelectasis and pneumonia risks.
Perform deep breathing, coughing, and incentive spirometry as tolerated. Enhances lung expansion and drainage while reducing atelectasis and pneumonia risks.
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