What happens when a chest tube is disconnected?

What happens when a chest tube is disconnected?

A chest tube drainage system disconnecting from the chest tube inside the patient is an emergency. Immediately clamp the tube and place the end of chest tube in sterile water or NS. The two ends will need to be swabbed with alcohol and reconnected. Bleeding may occur after insertion of the chest tube.

Can you disconnect a chest tube from suction?

If the patient has a pleural effusion, the chest tube can usually be removed when the output is less than 100-200 mL per day and the lung is expanded. The tube should usually be taken off suction and placed on water seal to rule out pneumothorax prior to tube removal.

What do you do when a chest tube becomes dislodged?

A chest tube falling out is an emergency. Immediately apply pressure to chest tube insertion site and apply sterile gauze or place a sterile Jelonet gauze and dry dressing over insertion site and ensure tight seal. Apply dressing when patient exhales.

What nursing actions should you perform if the chest tube becomes accidentally disconnected from the drainage system?

Dislodgement or Disconnection If the chest tube accidentally falls out, instruct the patient to perform the Valsalva maneuver. At end-expiration immediately cover the insertion site with vaseline gauze (if indicated by your hospital), a dry sterile dressing, and occlusive tape (Pruitt, 2008).

What does an air leak in a chest tube mean?

Once a chest tube is inserted, air bubbling into the chest drainage system indicates an air leak. The flow of air through the fistulous tract into the pleural space delays healing and inhibits lung expansion.

Where is continuous bubbling normal in chest tube?

Bubbling occurs in the water seal chamber when air is entering the chest drain. When you first apply suction, there should be a little bubbling in the water seal as air is pulled through from the collection chamber. If no other air enters the system, the bubbling should soon stop.