Question

The nurse is caring for a client with a chest tube. While assessing the tubing, the nurse notes a clot in the tubing. What action is appropriate in order to remove the clot from the tubing?

a. Squeeze by sections moving from the client to the chest tube chamber
b. Strip the tubing starting from the client toward the chest tube chamber
c. Milk the tubing
d. Strip the tubing starting from the chest tube and moving toward the client

Answer 1

The appropriate action to remove a clot from the tubing of a chest tube is to strip the tubing starting from the chest tube and moving toward the client.

Step-by-step explanation:

The appropriate action to remove a clot from the tubing of a chest tube is to strip the tubing starting from the chest tube and moving toward the client. This method involves gently applying pressure along the length of the tubing to dislodge the clot and move it towards the chest tube chamber. Squeezing, milking, or stripping the tubing in the opposite direction (from the client to the chest tube chamber) may cause further complications and should be avoided.