Question

Chest tubes are used to ________.

1) remove air from the pleural cavity
2) remove fluid from the pleural cavity
3) looped during a CT scan
4) attached to a drainage system that needs frequent emptying

Answer 1

Chest tubes are used to remove air and fluid from the pleural cavity.

Step-by-step explanation:

One of the primary uses of chest tubes is to remove air from the pleural cavity. When the pleural cavity becomes filled with air, it can cause a condition called pneumothorax, where the lung collapses. A chest tube is inserted into the pleural space to remove the excess air and reestablish negative pressure, allowing the lung to reinflate and function properly.

Another use of chest tubes is to remove fluid from the pleural cavity. This is typically done in cases of pleural effusion, where fluid accumulates in the pleural space. The chest tube is connected to a drainage system that collects and removes the excess fluid, relieving pressure on the lungs and allowing them to expand.

Therefore, chest tubes are used for both removing air and fluid from the pleural cavity.