Final answer:
Chest tubes should be placed in the pleural space to suction air effectively and reestablish the negative pressure necessary for lung inflation. This is often utilized in situations where pneumothorax has occurred and the lung has collapsed due to air entering the chest cavity.
Step-by-step explanation:
When attempting to suction air from the chest cavity to treat a condition such as pneumothorax, where air is present in the chest cavity and can lead to a collapsed lung, it is critical to place chest tubes appropriately. The lungs are normally attached to the inside of the chest wall by liquid adhesion, creating a negative pressure that keeps the lungs inflated. The gauge pressure in this liquid is negative, between -4 to -8 mm Hg during exhalation and inhalation, respectively. If air enters the chest cavity, this delicate balance is disturbed, leading to lung collapse.
To reestablish the negative pressure needed for lung inflation in patients who have undergone surgery or suffered trauma, medical professionals use chest tubes that are attached to a suction device. The precise placement of these tubes is typically in the pleural space, which is the area between the lung and the chest wall, to allow effective removal of air and re-expansion of the lung.
Understanding the process involving the respiratory system and the importance of maintaining the correct intrapleural pressure is critical for healthcare professionals when addressing such life-threatening situations.