Practice Question
The nurse is caring for a client who has a pneumothorax and a water-seal chest tube drainage system to suction. Which of the following actions should the nurse take?
Answer Choices:
Correct Answer:
Maintain the drainage container below the level of the client's chest
Rationale:
🟩 Keeping the drainage system below chest level ensures gravity drainage and prevents backflow of fluid or air into the pleural cavity, which could cause tension pneumothorax.
🟩 The chest tube should never be clamped unless directed by a provider, as this can trap air and raise intrapleural pressure.
🟩 The collection chamber should be monitored for fluid accumulation, bubbling, and fluctuation to assess tube patency and lung re-expansion.
🟩 Always maintain the water seal chamber at the proper level with sterile water, not tap water, to preserve system function.
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This question is from Custom Fundamentals Midterm Exam Fall 2025 which contains 73 questions.
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Question Details
- Category: RN Nursing Exam(s)
- Subcategory: ATI Exam(s)
- Domain: RN ATI Fundamentals of Nursing
- Answer Choices: 4