rntoday.com

Chest tubes. Ask three nurses about the bubbles, fluctuation, water levels, bellows, little white ball, suction level, setting of the arrow indicator, tube milking, and you might get three different answers…but the main thing to remember is, as always, how is the patient doing?…but you know that…

Things to remember,

• Don’t let anybody tip the canister over!
• Make sure the tubing is not kinked.
• make sure all the tubes are snuggly connected.
• Make sure the tubing is connected to the patient, (seems self evident?)
• Monitor the tubing position throughout your shift to detect any changes.

If need be, make a pen mark on the tubing at the point that it emerges from the CT drsg. That way if it dislodges slightly you will notice it before the doctor does when he comes to see the patient…they like it when the nurse knows the current condition of the patient..(humor)

Mark the drainage level when you check it, so you can chart the output on the I&O document.

For in depth info for chest tube management, here are some pertinent links…

 

Screen Shots and Pictures

Chest Tube Removal

Patient Care