Question

A pt Post-op has a chest tube with a collection drainage system. The nurse notes there is 100 mLs in the collection chamber in the 1st hour. What action should she take?

Answer 1

The nurse should report the 100 mLs of drainage in the chest tube to the healthcare provider, monitor the patient's vital signs and respiratory status, document the amount, and check the chest tube system's functionality.

Step-by-step explanation:

If a post-operative patient has a chest tube with a collection drainage system that shows 100 mLs in the collection chamber in the first hour, the nurse should evaluate the amount of drainage and the patient's clinical status. It is important for the nurse to report the finding to the patient's healthcare provider immediately, as this could be an expected outcome or a sign of complications such as hemorrhage or excessive drainage. Continuous monitoring of the chest tube output, the patient's vital signs, pain level, and respiratory status is essential. Additionally, the nurse should document the amount of drainage in the medical record and ensure the chest tube system is functioning properly.