Editing Reduction of Risk Potential (section)

=== Chest Tube Considerations ===

Keep the drainage system below the level of the chest, keep connections taped and secure, and keep the tubing free of dependent loops. Tidaling with respiration in the water seal chamber is expected in a functioning system and stops when the lung has re-expanded or the tubing is obstructed. '''Continuous''' bubbling in the water seal chamber indicates an air leak in the system or around the insertion site. Gentle continuous bubbling in the suction control chamber of a wet system is expected. Do not routinely clamp or strip the tubing. If the tube is accidentally pulled out, cover the site immediately with a sterile occlusive dressing taped on three sides and notify the provider. If the system breaks, place the distal end of the tube in sterile water or saline (Harding et al., 2023; Ignatavicius et al., 2021).