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In patients with advanced pregnancy, those that require a chest tube placement, where should the test tube be placed?

A. Right upper quadrant
B. Left upper quadrant
C. Midline

1 Answer

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Final answer:

In advanced pregnancy, a chest tube should be placed in the right upper quadrant or left upper quadrant, avoiding the midline, to minimize risks to the fetus and mother.

Step-by-step explanation:

In patients with advanced pregnancy requiring a chest tube placement, the placement site is adjusted due to the elevation of the diaphragm and compression of the thoracic space by the enlarged uterus. The traditional placement in the 'triangle of safety' may not apply here. Instead, the chest tube should typically be placed in the right upper quadrant or left upper quadrant, avoiding the midline due to the possibility of injury to the underlying fetus and the liver/spleen. It's important to consult imaging to guide the placement, reduce the risk to the fetus, and ensure that the tube is correctly positioned to evacuate air or fluid effectively.

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