Question

What should the patient do during the removal of a chest tube to prevent air entering the pleural space?

a) Inhale deeply and bear down
b) Exhale deeply and bear down
c) Hold breath and bear down
d) Deep breath, exhale, bear down

Answer 1

During the removal of a chest tube, the patient should exhale deeply and bear down to prevent air from entering the pleural space.

Step-by-step explanation:

During the removal of a chest tube, the patient should exhale deeply and bear down to prevent air from entering the pleural space.

Inhalation in humans involves expanding the chest, and the diaphragm moves downward, reducing pressure inside the lungs to less than atmospheric (negative gauge pressure). Pressure between the lungs and chest wall is even lower to overcome the positive pressure created by surface tension in the lungs. Exhalation involves the relaxation of the muscles and the surface tension in the alveoli creating a positive pressure inside the lungs, forcing air out.

By exhaling deeply and bearing down, the patient can create positive pressure in the lungs and prevent air from entering the pleural space.