A male patient who had a segmental left lung resection for treatment of a lung carcinoma returns from surgery with a left posterior-lateral chest tube attached to a disposable water-seal chest drainage system
Which of the following signs would indicate that the drainage system is working properly?
A) Air is bubbling in the water-seal chamber.
B) The fluid level in the drainage chamber remains constant.
C) The fluid level in the water-seal chamber fluctuates.
D) A pneumothorax is present.
Ans: C
Feedback: Fluctuation of the fluid level (upward on inspiration and downward on exhalation) in the water-seal chamber indicates a patent tube. Bubbling in the water-seal chamber indicates an air leak. A constant fluid level in the drainage chamber may indicate an obstructed drainage tube. A pneumothorax wouldn't indicate whether the drainage equipment was functioning properly.
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