LPN Fundamentals Practice Questions Related

Review LPN Fundamentals Practice Questions related questions and content

The nurse is providing care for a client with a chest tube. If the chest tube becomes disconnected from the drainage system, the nurse should:

  • A. Secure the chest tube with tape and notify the physician
  • B. Clamp the chest tube near the insertion site
  • C. Submerge the end of the tube in sterile water
  • D. Insert the tube into the drainage system without cleansing
Correct Answer: C

Rationale: Submerging the chest tube end in sterile water creates a water seal, preventing pneumothorax if disconnected taping delays, clamping risks tension pneumothorax, and reinserting uncleaned spreads infection. Nurses act quickly, ensuring lung re-expansion, critical in chest tube care.