ATI Capstone Medical Surgical Assessment 1 Quizlet Related

Review ATI Capstone Medical Surgical Assessment 1 Quizlet related questions and content

What intervention is required when continuous bubbling is seen in the chest tube water seal chamber?

  • A. Tighten the connections of the chest tube system
  • B. Clamp the chest tube
  • C. Replace the chest tube
  • D. Continue monitoring the chest tube
Correct Answer: A

Rationale: When continuous bubbling is observed in the chest tube water seal chamber, tightening the connections of the chest tube system is the appropriate intervention. This action can often resolve an air leak, which is the common cause of continuous bubbling. Clamping the chest tube or replacing it is not recommended as the first-line intervention because it may lead to complications or unnecessary tube changes. Continuing to monitor the chest tube without addressing the air leak would delay necessary corrective action, potentially causing respiratory compromise in the patient. Therefore, tightening the connections of the chest tube system is the most suitable initial step to manage continuous bubbling in the water seal chamber.