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Chest Tube Management — NCLEX Cheat Sheet

Drains air/fluid, re-expands lung
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👤 By the CinnaRN Clinical Content Team 🕐 Updated 2026-07-11 🏷️ Physiological Adaptation 🔖 Free to read, print, and share
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Use this quick-reference guide to spot, treat, and prevent Chest Tube Management on the NCLEX. Keep it handy during review and on exam day!

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Do

Nursing actions
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Report

Notify / act now
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Avoid

Key facts
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Emergency

Notify / act now

Quick Tip

Gentle continuous bubbling in the suction control chamber is normal and reflects ordered suction; vigorous bubbling means suction is too high.

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