Practice Quiz

CCRN Critical Care Nursing

Category - Adult

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The nurse is assessing the newly placed chest tube in a patient and notices the constant bubbling in the water seal chamber. An appropriate action to take would be:
  1. Assess the chest drainage unit and tubing for an air leak.
  2. Do nothing and continue with the assessment; this is a normal finding.
  3. Clamp the chest tube and call the doctor immediately.
  4. Place the patient in a semi Fowler’s position.
Explanation
Answer: A - An appropriate action for the nurse to take when observing constant bubbling in the water seal chamber would be to assess the chest drainage unit and tubing for an air leak. If, after the assessment, no air leak is discovered, call the physician. A tension Pneumothorax can occur if the leaking and trapping of air in the pleural space occurs.
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