Chest Tube Drainage System

Chest tube drainage system
Use	Normal findings	Abnormal findings
Used to remove abnormal accumulations of air and fluid from the pleural space	50 mL of drainage in the drainage collection chamber Drainage system maintained below the client’s chest Occlusive dressing in place over the chest tube insertion site Fluctuation of water in the tube in the water seal chamber during inhalation and exhalation ~ If fluctuation stops: Maybe due to obstruction Maybe suction is not working properly Maybe Lung has reexpanded	Excessive bubbling in the water seal chamber =air leak Vigorous bubbling in the suction control chamber

 Saunders RN Review