NUR210 MOD1: Chest Tubes Exam
Questions and Answers 100% PASS|| A+
GRADED|| LATEST UPDATE 2026
Purpose of chest tubes
- Chest tubes remove air, blood, or fluid from the pleural space to:
- Restore negative intrathoracic pressure
- Allow lung re-expansion
- Improve oxygenation and ventilation
Indications for chest tube insertion
- Pneumothorax (spontaneous, traumatic, tension)
- Hemothorax
- Pleural effusion
- Post-operative thoracic surgery
- Empyema (purulent drainage)
Pneumothorax: Patho
- Air enters the pleural space
- Loss of negative pressure
- Lung collapses partially or completely
- Impaired gas exchange
- Tension pneumothorax → mediastinal shift → ↓ venous return → ↓ cardiac output
(life-threatening)
Patient presentation of pneumothorax: Respiratory
, - Dyspnea
- Cough
- Pleuritic chest pain
- Absent or ↓ breath sounds on affected side
- Asymmetrical chest wall motion
Patient presentation of pneumothorax: Percussion
- Hyperresonance → pneumothorax
- Dullness/flatness → hemothorax or pleural effusion
Patient presentation of pneumothorax: Late/Emergency signs
- Distended neck veins
- Hemodynamic instability
- Tracheal deviation (tension pneumothorax)
Considerations for chest tube insertion: Preprocedural
-Verify consent form is signed
-Assess for allergies to local anesthetics
-Assist the client into the preferred position: a supine position, HOB elevated to 30-60
degrees, arm rested above the head OR Semi-Fowler's and leaning over the bedside
table.
-Prepare the chest drainage system-fill the water seal chamber
Emergency preparedness for chest tubes
-Occlusive dressing w/ tape
-Sterile water
Questions and Answers 100% PASS|| A+
GRADED|| LATEST UPDATE 2026
Purpose of chest tubes
- Chest tubes remove air, blood, or fluid from the pleural space to:
- Restore negative intrathoracic pressure
- Allow lung re-expansion
- Improve oxygenation and ventilation
Indications for chest tube insertion
- Pneumothorax (spontaneous, traumatic, tension)
- Hemothorax
- Pleural effusion
- Post-operative thoracic surgery
- Empyema (purulent drainage)
Pneumothorax: Patho
- Air enters the pleural space
- Loss of negative pressure
- Lung collapses partially or completely
- Impaired gas exchange
- Tension pneumothorax → mediastinal shift → ↓ venous return → ↓ cardiac output
(life-threatening)
Patient presentation of pneumothorax: Respiratory
, - Dyspnea
- Cough
- Pleuritic chest pain
- Absent or ↓ breath sounds on affected side
- Asymmetrical chest wall motion
Patient presentation of pneumothorax: Percussion
- Hyperresonance → pneumothorax
- Dullness/flatness → hemothorax or pleural effusion
Patient presentation of pneumothorax: Late/Emergency signs
- Distended neck veins
- Hemodynamic instability
- Tracheal deviation (tension pneumothorax)
Considerations for chest tube insertion: Preprocedural
-Verify consent form is signed
-Assess for allergies to local anesthetics
-Assist the client into the preferred position: a supine position, HOB elevated to 30-60
degrees, arm rested above the head OR Semi-Fowler's and leaning over the bedside
table.
-Prepare the chest drainage system-fill the water seal chamber
Emergency preparedness for chest tubes
-Occlusive dressing w/ tape
-Sterile water
