care of client with chest tube
DESCRIPTION
chest tube careTRANSCRIPT
Care of Client with under water seal drainage
Chest tube is a flexible plastic tube that is inserted through the side of the chest into the pleural space to reexpand the lung.
Purpose It is used to remove air , fluid or pus. To establish normal negative
pressure in the pleural cavity for lung expansion.
To equalize pressure on both sides of the thoracic cavity.
To provide continuous suction to prevent tension pneumothorax.
Indication Pneumothorax: accumulation of air Pleural effusion: accumulation of fluid Chylothorax: a collection of lymphatic
fluid Empyema: a pyogenic infection of the
pleural spaceHemothorax: accumulation of blood Hydrothorax: accumulation of serous
fluid
Contraindication
Bleeding diathesisCoagulopathy
Pre Procedure
1. Confirm the procedure2. Inform patient3. Check for the consent4. Prepare the equipments5. X-ray (with the report to
determine the affected lung)6. Position patient
During the procedureObserve/monitor patient’s
RespirationSaturation
Reduce patient’s anxietyPrepare the under water sealConnect the closed system fast
Post procedureMonitor vital signs
15min x 1 hour30mins x 1 hour1 hour x 4 hours and until stable
Take note of the respirationRatePatternRhythm
Check saturationAdminister oxygen when necessary
Post procedure1. Care of patient
Respiratory statusAuscultates lungs to assess air exchange in the affected lung
Place patient in fowler’s position
2. Care of the wound
Change the gauze when necessary
Strict aseptic technique when performing dressing
Check skin integrityoRednessoSwellingoLoose suture
3. Care of the Tubing Intact and taped Maintain patency
Check for obstruction Teach patient on how to take care of the
tubing Place a pillow between patient and tubingCoil the tubeAvoid dependent loop Instruct patient to cough if tube is blockedMilking and stripping of the tube when
blocked
4. Clamps Use rubber tipsClamped at the bedsideClamping
During transferNot more than 1 minuteUpon doctor’s order
Note: clamping chest tube will accumulate in the pleural cavity since the air has no means of escape. This can rapidly lead to tension pneumothorax.
3 principles of under water seal
GravityWater sealSuction
5. Water sealEnhances flow from high to low.Place below patient’s chest wall
(gravity)Fill with sterile water.Rod must be immersed 2cm in
water.Observe for the fluctuation of water
level.
5(a) Fluctuation
To ensure the patency of the system
It will stop when : lung fully expanded an obstruction
Check for obstructionTubing –kinkedPatient’s positionAsk patient to take a deep
breath and cough
5(b) Bubbling Intermittent bubbling : normal Continous bubbling : abnormal
Check : WoundTubeConnection
If rapid bubbling without air leak : inform doctor immediately
5(c) Drainage output70-100 mls per hour observe for any change in drainage colourMark the amountDocument in I/O chartChange bottle every 24hours
or when full
6. Suction apparatus1. Low suction pump
Must be controlled Suction valve / meter is inserted for
wall suction Check for bubbling If no bubbling
Clamp chest tube to check for air leaks
Check tubing and connection Observe patient’s condition while
chest tube is clamped.
7. Safety 1. Tube
Prevent kinking Place a pillow as barrier Never clamp unnecessarily
2. Bottle Must be below chest Keep bottle in basin Inform relatives and housekeeping
8. Ambulation Encourage patient to change position to promote drainage
No need to clamp the tubeMaintain chest tube below chest wall
9. Exercise Encourage deep breathing and arm exercise.
On the first post op day.When patient not in severe pain.Assist patient.
To enhance the lung expansionPrevent stiffness of the arm
10. Comfort
Administer analgesic in the first 24hours.
Allow position that comfortable to the patient .
Assist patient in daily living activity Hygiene
Removal of chest tubeAssessment
X-ray done to check the progress
Clamp for 2 hours
Chest tube removed
Emergency careBleeding
Observe wound dressingObserve drainage
DislodgementFrom insertion site : place a
gauze immediatelyFrom connection : clamp
chest tube immediately
Emergency care…Bottle breaks
Identify either patient having pneumothorax or hemothorax.
Observe patient for tension pneumothorax.
Place tube in saline immediately.Unclamped immediately. (prevent
respiratory distress)Elevation of bottle
Immediately inform doctor
Complication
BleedingPulmonary embolusCardiac tamponadeAtelectasis