Question

What should the provider put over the incision of a chest tube

Answer 1

A chest tube incision should be covered with a sterile occlusive dressing to maintain sterility and enable proper healing, while also securing the tube in place.

Step-by-step explanation:

When dealing with the placement of a chest tube, it is crucial to maintain sterility and ensure proper healing of the surgical site. After the insertion of a chest tube, the provider should cover the incision with a sterile occlusive dressing. This dressing typically consists of gauze pads and a semi-permeable adhesive film that allows the skin to breathe while keeping out bacteria and other contaminants. It is important that this dressing is applied in a sterile manner to prevent infection. The provider must also secure the chest tube to prevent dislodgement or movement that could disrupt the healing process or cause injury to the patient.

Answer 2

After the insertion of a chest tube, a sterile occlusive dressing is applied over the incision to maintain an airtight seal and prevent infection.

Step-by-step explanation:

After placing a chest tube, it is important to cover the incision site to maintain an airtight seal and prevent infection. Typically, a healthcare provider will apply a sterile occlusive dressing over the incision. This dressing is often a gauze pad that is secured in place with adhesive tape; some modern dressings might be self-adhesive and have antimicrobial properties. The key is to ensure that the dressing provides a complete seal around the chest tube site to prevent air from entering the pleural space and compromising the chest tube's function.