Correct
What is the suction pressure usually ordered to be set at? - ANSWER Amount of water
-20 cm H2O (can vary between -10 to -40)
How can you tell the wet suction of the chest drainage system has been initiated?
How can you tell the dry suction of the chest drainage system has been initiated? -
ANSWER Wet suction: gentle bubbling is present
Dry suction: visual alert that indicates working suction
Is informed consent necessary for a chest tube insertion?
What equipment is needed for a chest tube insertion? - ANSWER Informed consent is
required for chest tube insertion
Equipment:
-Thoracotomy tray
-CDU
-Chest tube
-Bottle of sterile water
-1% lido
-Suction tubing and collection container
-Occlusive dressing
How is a wet suction CDU prepared? - ANSWER Add sterile water to the 2 cm mark in
the water-seal chamber
Add sterile water to the 20-cm mark (or per order) in the suction control chamber
How is a dry suction CDU prepared? - ANSWER Add sterile water to the fill line of air-
leak meter
Attach suction tubing
Increase suction until the bellows-like float moves across the display window
,How should a patient be positioned when undergoing chest tube insertion? - ANSWER
Arm on affected side raised above the head to expose the mid-axillary area
HOB 30 - 60 degrees
What kind of gauze is used over the chest tube insertion site? - ANSWER Occlusive,
petroleum gauze dressing
What can occur if the chest tube is clamped? - ANSWER Increase risk for tension
pneumothorax
In what position should the CDU be in at all times? - ANSWER Dependent position
What potential complications can occur in a patient with a CDU? - ANSWER Rapid
removal of pleural fluid: > 1000 ml - notify provider
Subcutaneous emphysema: introduction of air into the subcutaneous tissues; feels like
bubble wrap
Bleeding
Atelectasis
Infection
Accidental disconnection
When is a chest tube removed?
What should be done prior to its removal?
What should be done following removal? - ANSWER When the lung is re-expanded or
the fluid drainage is minimal/has ceased
Prior to removal:
-24 hours: chest tube to gravity/without suctioning
--Making sure the lung remains inflated
-30 - 60 minutes prior to removal: pre-medicate with pain meds
-Pt should be instructed to hold breath while tube is pulled out
After removal:
-Occlusive petroleum bandage applied while tube is removed -
F/u CXR
, When might a thoracotomy be performed?
What is the most common approach for a thoracotomy? - ANSWER Tumor
Infection
Trauma
Posterolateral approach
What surgical approach might be used instead of a thoracotomy due to reduced post-op
pain, decreased length of stay, decreased morbidity, and few complications? -
ANSWER Video-Assisted Thoracoscopic Surgery (VATS)
What should be done (work up/education) prior to a thoracotomy or video-assisted
thoracoscopic surgery? - ANSWER PFTs, ABGs: confirm respiratory stability
Cardiac work up: determine if any heart involvement that should be addressed during
the surgery
Educate:
-Smoking cessation for at least a month before the surgery to improve oxygenation -
Post-op expectations: oxygen, intubation, chest tubes
What should be included in the post-op respiratory assessment for a patient following
thoracic surgery? - ANSWER Respiratory rate, effort
Sputum eval
Lung sounds
Chest tube drainage
What is the respiratory condition where fluid accumulates in the pleural space, exerting
pressure on the lung and decreasing gas exchange?
What is this condition indicative of? - ANSWER Pleural effusion: fluid collection
between the parietal and visceral pleura
Indicative of disease
What is the difference between transudate, exudate, and empyema when it comes to
pleural effusion? - ANSWER Transudate: caused by an abnormality in the patient's
fluid regulation system
Exudate: inflammatory reaction to an external cause, resulting in edema