A patient has a chest drain attached to a Pleura-evac system. Which action reflects proper care?

A patient has a chest drain attached to a Pleura-evac system. Which action reflects proper care?

• A. Ensuring continuous bubbling in the water seal chamber
• B. Taping the connection between the chest tube and drainage system
• C. Adding sterile water to the suction control chamber every 8 hours
• D. Maintaining the system above waist level

Answer: (B)

The main idea is keeping the Pleura-evac system airtight and closed so negative pressure is maintained and air cannot re-enter the pleural space. Securing the connection between the chest tube and the drainage system with tape creates an airtight seal, which prevents air leaks and disconnections that could compromise lung re-expansion. Other actions aren’t appropriate because: - Continuous bubbling in the water-seal chamber isn’t normal; it suggests an ongoing air leak or a disconnection, which can undermine the drainage system’s function. - Adding sterile water to the suction control chamber on a set schedule isn’t how the system is managed; the water level in the suction chamber should be kept at the prescribed level per the device guidelines, not routinely every eight hours. - Keeping the drainage system above waist level can allow backflow or air to re-enter the system; the collection chamber should be kept below the level of the chest to promote gravity drainage. Taping the connection is the correct action because it preserves an airtight, closed circuit essential for effective pleural drainage.

The main idea is keeping the Pleura-evac system airtight and closed so negative pressure is maintained and air cannot re-enter the pleural space. Securing the connection between the chest tube and the drainage system with tape creates an airtight seal, which prevents air leaks and disconnections that could compromise lung re-expansion.

Other actions aren’t appropriate because:

• Continuous bubbling in the water-seal chamber isn’t normal; it suggests an ongoing air leak or a disconnection, which can undermine the drainage system’s function.

• Adding sterile water to the suction control chamber on a set schedule isn’t how the system is managed; the water level in the suction chamber should be kept at the prescribed level per the device guidelines, not routinely every eight hours.

• Keeping the drainage system above waist level can allow backflow or air to re-enter the system; the collection chamber should be kept below the level of the chest to promote gravity drainage.

Taping the connection is the correct action because it preserves an airtight, closed circuit essential for effective pleural drainage.