Page 39 - UNC MC Assistive Personnel Orientation Manual 2020

Chest Tubes

Chest tubes are placed in the area
around the lung or heart to drain blood,

pus, air, and fluid from the chest cavity, to
reestablish negative pressure to expand the
lungs following collapse resulting from

surgery or trauma. A collapsed lung, or
pneumothorax, occurs when air collects

between the lung and the chest wall. The

chest tube is connected to a drainage

canister.
What is a drainage canister?

 A drainage canister is typically used
to collect chest tube contents (air,
blood, or fluid between the chest
and lungs)
 Can hold up to 2000 ml of fluid
 Can be connected to suction or can
be used with gravity
 Needs to stay below the level of the
patient’s chest

Notify the Nurse…… Equipment that should be in the
 If the tubing becomes kinked or room…

obstructed  Oxygen and suction
 Patient complains of pain/discomfort  Petroleum gauze
at the chest tube site  Sterile gauze
 Difficulty breathing  Tape
 The chest tube becomes disconnected  Alcohol wipes
 250 ml bottle of sterile water
 The drainage system is not upright

Notify the nurse immediately if the chest tube is dislodged or falls out, this is an emergency situation!

Safety…..

Prevent drainage system tubing from looping when the patient is in bed, in chair, or during

ambulation
 Patient should ambulate with assistance, keeping chest tubing/system close to patient to
prevent accidental entanglement/dislodgement.
 The drainage system should remain up at all times. Turn the floor stand support at a 45-
degree angle to the drainage system to place chest drainage system on floor or hang the
system on bedside with the hangers provided to avoid accidental spillage within the chamber.

Reference:
Chest Tubes

Nursing Practice and Professional Development / Assistive Personnel Orientation 2020 Page 36