The chest tube drainage system of the client 36 hours after a pneumonectomy has continuous bubbling in the water seal chamber (chamber 2). When you clamp the chest tube close to the client's dressing, the bubbling stops
What is your interpretation of this finding? A. An air leak is present at the chest tube insertion site or in the thoracic cavity.
B. An air leak is present somewhere in the drainage system.
C. The suction pressure applied to the system is too high.
D. The suction pressure applied to the system is too low.
A
Bubbling in the water seal chamber indicates air drainage from the client and is usually seen when the client's intrathoracic pressure is greater than atmospheric pressure, such as during ex-halation, coughing, or sneezing. When the air in the pleural space has been sufficiently removed, bubbling stops. Increased bubbling indicates an air leak. If the air leak is in the thoracic cavity, air and air pressure increase in the thoracic cavity, forcing more air into the water seal chamber. This air movement is prevented when the chest tube is clamped close to the insertion site.
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