Chest drains are used to drain fluid, air or blood from the pleural space between the lungs and chest wall. Indications include pneumothorax, pleural effusions, and trauma. Proper placement requires sterile technique and imaging guidance. Chest drainage systems use water seals and suction to remove fluid while preventing re-entry of air into the chest. Patient care involves monitoring drainage, lung re-expansion and preventing complications like infection. Tubes are typically removed once drainage decreases and lungs are fully re-expanded.
This document discusses water seal drainage systems used for chest tubes. It defines water seal drainage as a closed system that allows fluid and air to drain from the pleural space during exhalation but prevents return flow during inhalation. It describes the purposes, types, principles and nursing responsibilities for water seal drainage systems. The key factors that can affect drainage are proper placement and maintenance of the chest tube and drainage apparatus.
Chest drains are used to drain fluid, air or blood from the pleural space between the lungs and chest wall. Indications include pneumothorax, pleural effusions, and trauma. Proper placement requires sterile technique and imaging guidance. Chest drainage systems use water seals and suction to remove fluid while preventing re-entry of air into the chest. Patient care involves monitoring drainage, lung re-expansion and preventing complications like infection. Tubes are typically removed once drainage decreases and lungs are fully re-expanded.
This document discusses water seal drainage systems used for chest tubes. It defines water seal drainage as a closed system that allows fluid and air to drain from the pleural space during exhalation but prevents return flow during inhalation. It describes the purposes, types, principles and nursing responsibilities for water seal drainage systems. The key factors that can affect drainage are proper placement and maintenance of the chest tube and drainage apparatus.
The document discusses nursing care and management of patients with intercostal chest drains. It provides guidance on dressing, observations, positioning, potential complications and their treatment. Key points covered include using a small gauze dressing at the insertion site rather than bulky dressings, monitoring drainage amounts and lung expansion, avoiding clamping the tube which could lead to tension pneumothorax, and instructing patients to take a deep breath during drain removal.
Chest tubes are inserted to drain fluid or air from the pleural space and allow the lung to re-expand; they are connected to underwater seal drainage to maintain suction and allow fluid to drain via gravity while monitoring for fluctuations, bubbles, and output; nurses must carefully monitor patients with chest tubes and the drainage systems to ensure proper functioning and prevent complications.
1. Chest tubes are used to drain fluid or air from the pleural space to allow the lung to re-expand following a pneumothorax, hemothorax, or other condition.
2. Placement involves local anesthesia and insertion of a tube between the ribs and into the pleural space, which is then connected to a drainage system.
3. Ongoing nursing care includes monitoring drainage, ensuring tube placement and connections, and assessing for complications like continued air leaks, until removal criteria are met and the lung is fully re-expanded.
