Reduction of Risk PotentialQuestion 1910 of 2368
The nurse observes the water in the water seal chamber rise with inhalation and fall with exhalation. How should the nurse interpret this finding?
- The chest tube has an air leak
- The suction is set too high
- The chest tube is patent
- The collection chamber is full
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Correct answer: The chest tube is patent
Tidaling is expected and shows the tube is open. Continuous bubbling, not tidaling, suggests an air leak.
Source: Nursing Advanced Skills (Open RN, Chippewa Valley Technical College, 2023), Manage Chest Tube Drainage Systems: Chest Tube Drainage System Chambers. Licensed under CC BY 4.0.
Practice the topic "Reduction of Risk Potential"Questions last reviewed: 18 October 2026