Chest Tubes Lecture Notes

Purpose of Chest Tubes

• Chest tubes are used to drain fluid, blood, or air from the pleural space of the lung.
• The main goal is to re-expand a collapsed lung by restoring normal negative pressure in the pleural space.
  • Pleural Effusion: Fluid in the pleural space.
  • Hemothorax: Blood in the pleural space.
  • Pneumothorax: Air in the pleural space.

Functionality of Chest Tubes

• Inserted into the pleural space to remove air, fluid, or blood.
• Functions through a closed, one-way drainage system.
  • Important: The drainage system must be kept below chest level to assist gravity in drainage.

Key Interventions

• For clients with a chest tube for pneumothorax, ensure the drainage is below chest level.

Chambers in Chest Tube Systems

1. Suction Control Chamber

   • Ensure gentle, steady, continuous bubbling.
   • Vigorous bubbling indicates too high suction.
   • Memory Trick: Like a child gently sucking a milkshake.

2. Water Seal Chamber (Air Leak Monitor)

   • Acts as a one-way valve to drain air/fluid and prevent air entry into the chest cavity.
   • Titling: Steady rise and fall with breathing indicates correct operation.
   • Continuous bubbling is bad, indicates an air leak.
   • Memory Trick: Like a seal in the ocean, rising and falling with the tide.

3. Collection Chamber

   • Used to measure output.

Important Notes

• Titling should naturally reduce as the lung re-expands.
• Remember, no continuous bubbling in the water seal; it's bad for the system.

Additional Resources

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• Thanks to our team of experts for their contributions.