The nurse fills the suction control chamber with water to the 20-cm line while setting up a water-seal chest drainage system. Which rationale does the nurse use to explain this intervention?
a. Creates a method for counting respirations
b. Compensates for leaks in tubing connec-tions
c. Maintains up to 20 cm of intrapleural pressure
d. Facilitates bubbling for pressure over 20 mm Hg
C
Lungs inflate as a result of negative intrapleural pressure pulling parenchymal tissue to the chest wall and a thin layer of serous fluid holding it to the chest wall. A 20-cm amount of water in the water-seal chamber limits negative intrapleural pressure to 20 cm and prevents parenchymal tissue damage; the water prevents positive pressure from entering the intrapleural space and com-pressing the lungs. Positive pressure destroys negative intrapleural pressure. Respirations are counted by watching the chest rise and fall. Compensatory mechanisms for leaking within the system do not exist; the only remedy is to tighten the connections. Bubbling occurs with an air leak in the water-seal drainage system.
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