Chest Trauma Case Study

Hi,

I am working on a case study for Med/Surg on a pt with a chest trauma.

I am trouble finding the answers to these questions

Any ideas would be helpful

The patient has a closed drainage system attached to wall suction to drain a penetrating chest injuring

1. What equipment is needed at the bedside?

2. What do you do if the drainage system tips over?

3. Can the patient get up and leave the unit, and if so what do you do?

4. How much fluids should the patient consume and why is he on I/O?

Thanks,

Melanie

Your patient will definitely have chest tubes in, so you will need a set of clamps at the bedside. They will probably be on oxygen. Should have a PCA pump for pain control.

As far as the system tipping over, it can happen, but you should have the drainiage system positioned so as to minimize this. It would depend on which type of system that you are using. Worst case scenerio is that you change the system out, which just involves changeing the actual drainage system "box" -- not the tubing, or anything else.

The patient can leave to go for any exams, etc. only once he is stabilized.

He would be on I/O to make sure that he is getting enough fluids, may need repalcement for the amount fo fluid that he is putting out........also close monitoring of cbc because he may be losing blood also.

Hope that this helps..............