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ATI TEAS RESPIRATORY SYSTEM|
Chest Tube Management Clinical Exam|
2025/2026| Approved Q&A
What PPE should a nurse wear during chest tube insertion at the bedside?
Sterile gloves, gown, mask, and goggles—there’s a lot of exposure risk during insertion.
What does it mean if there’s sudden cessation of chest tube drainage in a trauma patient?
Might be a clot or blockage—or maybe the tube got dislodged. I’d check the tubing and
notify someone ASAP.
Why is pain management important for patients with chest tubes?
If it hurts to breathe, they won’t take deep breaths—and that can lead to atelectasis or
pneumonia.
When checking the dressing on a chest tube, what should the nurse look for?
Make sure it’s dry, intact, no signs of infection like redness or drainage around the site.
What could it mean if a patient with a chest tube has tracheal deviation?
Possible tension pneumothorax—super serious. That’s a medical emergency, and I’d call for
immediate help.
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A patient with a chest tube has subcutaneous emphysema. What should the nurse do?
That’s when air’s under the skin—feels crackly. I’d monitor it and tell the provider—it can
spread and be dangerous.
What’s the role of the suction control chamber in a chest tube system?
It controls how much suction is applied—usually has sterile water and bubbles a bit to show
it’s working.
Can a patient with a chest tube go home with it?
Yeah, sometimes with a Heimlich valve or special portable system—but they need teaching
on how to care for it safely.
Why should chest tube tubing not be looped or coiled on the bed?
That can block drainage—always let it hang straight down with no kinks or loops.
A nurse is caring for a patient with a chest tube and notices continuous bubbling in the water seal
chamber. What should the nurse do next?
Could mean there's an air leak—I'd check the whole system starting from the patient, tubing,
and connections to find where it’s coming from.
A patient with a chest tube suddenly reports sharp chest pain and shortness of breath. What
complication might be happening?
ATI TEAS RESPIRATORY SYSTEM|
Chest Tube Management Clinical Exam|
2025/2026| Approved Q&A
What PPE should a nurse wear during chest tube insertion at the bedside?
Sterile gloves, gown, mask, and goggles—there’s a lot of exposure risk during insertion.
What does it mean if there’s sudden cessation of chest tube drainage in a trauma patient?
Might be a clot or blockage—or maybe the tube got dislodged. I’d check the tubing and
notify someone ASAP.
Why is pain management important for patients with chest tubes?
If it hurts to breathe, they won’t take deep breaths—and that can lead to atelectasis or
pneumonia.
When checking the dressing on a chest tube, what should the nurse look for?
Make sure it’s dry, intact, no signs of infection like redness or drainage around the site.
What could it mean if a patient with a chest tube has tracheal deviation?
Possible tension pneumothorax—super serious. That’s a medical emergency, and I’d call for
immediate help.
, 2
A patient with a chest tube has subcutaneous emphysema. What should the nurse do?
That’s when air’s under the skin—feels crackly. I’d monitor it and tell the provider—it can
spread and be dangerous.
What’s the role of the suction control chamber in a chest tube system?
It controls how much suction is applied—usually has sterile water and bubbles a bit to show
it’s working.
Can a patient with a chest tube go home with it?
Yeah, sometimes with a Heimlich valve or special portable system—but they need teaching
on how to care for it safely.
Why should chest tube tubing not be looped or coiled on the bed?
That can block drainage—always let it hang straight down with no kinks or loops.
A nurse is caring for a patient with a chest tube and notices continuous bubbling in the water seal
chamber. What should the nurse do next?
Could mean there's an air leak—I'd check the whole system starting from the patient, tubing,
and connections to find where it’s coming from.
A patient with a chest tube suddenly reports sharp chest pain and shortness of breath. What
complication might be happening?
