Question

A client with a pneumothorax has a chest tube inserted and attached to a closed chest drainage system. the client asks, "why is the tube in my chest hooked up to a contraption with water in it?" how does the nurse explain the function of the water?

Answer 1

The answer would be Prevents reflux of air back into the chest

Pneumothorax happens if there is hole between the visceral pleura and parietal pleura which normally have negative pressure. This allow the air slip out into the space, prevent the lungs to expand. Chest tube is placed in the pleura to remove the air while the water seal the tube so the air from atmosphere won't go inside.

Answer 2

The answer is mark the time and fluid level on the side of the drainage chamber.

A pneumothorax is an abnormal collection of air in the pleural space between the lung and the chest wall. Symptoms typically include sudden onset of sharp, one-sided chest pain and shortness of breath.