Question

A nurse is caring for a client who has a pneumothorax and a closed-chest drainage system. Which of the following findings is an indication of lung re-expansion?

A) Continuous bubbling in the water seal chamber.
B) Absence of fluctuation in the water seal chamber.
C) Decreased drainage in the collection chamber.
D) Subcutaneous emphysema around the chest tube site.

Answer 1

The absence of fluctuation in the water seal chamber is an indication of lung re-expansion in a closed-chest drainage system for a client with pneumothorax.

Step-by-step explanation:

The presence of bubbling in the water seal chamber of a closed-chest drainage system indicates air leaking from the client's chest cavity and is not an indication of lung re-expansion. The correct answer is B) Absence of fluctuation in the water seal chamber.

When there is lung re-expansion, the closed-chest drainage system will show a steady water level in the water seal chamber without any fluctuation. This indicates that the lung has re-inflated and that air is not leaking from the chest cavity into the drainage system.

In contrast, continuous bubbling in the water seal chamber suggests ongoing air leakage from the chest cavity, indicating incomplete lung re-expansion. Decreased drainage in the collection chamber may indicate less fluid accumulation in the chest cavity, but it does not directly indicate lung re-expansion. Subcutaneous emphysema around the chest tube site is a potential complication and not a direct indication of lung re-expansion.