When assessing a postoperative client with a chest tube, what abnormal finding requires immediate assessment?

When assessing a postoperative client with a chest tube, what abnormal finding requires immediate assessment?

• A. Intermittent bubbling in the water seal chamber
• B. Constant bubbling in the water seal chamber
• C. Draining 300 mL of bloody drainage
• D. Presence of auscultated bilateral breath sounds

Answer: (B)

Constant bubbling in the water seal chamber is an abnormal finding that indicates a potential air leak in the system. This continuous bubbling suggests that air is escaping from the pleural space, which could lead to complications such as a pneumothorax or inadequate lung re-expansion postoperatively. It requires immediate assessment to determine the source of the leak and to ensure proper functioning of the chest tube system. Intermittent bubbling, on the other hand, is typically expected as it can reflect normal fluctuations in pleural pressure during breathing and does not necessarily indicate a problem. Similarly, draining 300 mL of bloody drainage could be a normal finding shortly after surgery, depending on the surgical procedure and the patient's condition. Auscultated bilateral breath sounds being present is generally a good sign, as it indicates airflow to both lungs and suggests that there are no significant blockages or issues affecting ventilation.

Constant bubbling in the water seal chamber is an abnormal finding that indicates a potential air leak in the system. This continuous bubbling suggests that air is escaping from the pleural space, which could lead to complications such as a pneumothorax or inadequate lung re-expansion postoperatively. It requires immediate assessment to determine the source of the leak and to ensure proper functioning of the chest tube system.

Intermittent bubbling, on the other hand, is typically expected as it can reflect normal fluctuations in pleural pressure during breathing and does not necessarily indicate a problem. Similarly, draining 300 mL of bloody drainage could be a normal finding shortly after surgery, depending on the surgical procedure and the patient's condition. Auscultated bilateral breath sounds being present is generally a good sign, as it indicates airflow to both lungs and suggests that there are no significant blockages or issues affecting ventilation.