A client has a chest tube placed in his left pleural space to re-expand his collapsed lung. In a closed-chest drainage system, the purpose of the water seal is to:

Question

Options

• APrevent air from entering the pleural space
• BPrevent fluid from entering the pleural space
• CProvide a means to measure chest drainage
• DProvide an indicator of respiratory effort

• A
  88% (44)
• B
  6% (3)
• C
  2% (1)
• D
  4% (2)

Explanation

(A) A chest tube extends from the pleural space to a collection device. The tube is placed below the surface of the saline so that air cannot enter the pleural space. (B) Fluid may enter the pleural space as a result of injury or disease. A chest tube may drain fluid from the pleural space, but the water seal is not involved in this. (C) Chest drainage should be measured, but the water seal is not involved in this. (D) Fluctuations in the tube in the water-sealed bottle will give an indication of respiratory effort, but that is not the purpose of the water seal.

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