Question

While adding water to the chest tube drainage system, the nurse knocks over the container causing the blood to spill into the adjacent chamber. Which action should the nurse take?

a. Increase suction to 30 cm.
b. Assess tubing for fluctuation with respirations.
c. Replace chest tube drainage system.
d. Mark drainage in both chambers.

Answer 1

The nurse should replace the chest tube drainage system if blood spills into the adjacent chamber, as this can compromise the system and affect measurement accuracy.

Step-by-step explanation:

The student asked: What should the nurse do if blood is accidentally spilled into the adjacent chamber of the chest tube drainage system? The correct action for the nurse to take in this scenario is to replace the chest tube drainage system. The contamination of chambers can interfere with the accurate measurement of output and might compromise the system's functioning. It is not sufficient to mark drainage in both chambers, as this would not address the potential for compromised sterile technique or inaccuracies. Increasing suction to 30 cm or assessing the tubing for fluctuation with respirations does not correct the issue of the spilled blood.