Chest Tube

[powerpooch]

Are the terms thoracentesis and chest tube synonymous?????

[stressgal, RN]

Thoracentesis is a test used to obtain a specimen of pleural fluid, remove pleural fluid or to instill medicine. It involves the insertion of a large bore needle.

A chest tube is used to drain or remove the air and/or fluid from the pleural space to restore normal pressure, allowing the lungs to reexpand.

[Daytonite, BSN, RN]

Are the terms thoracentesis and chest tube synonymous?????

No, they are not. However, they are kind of related. A thoracentesis in the introduction of a needle into the pleural space to withdraw and drain off fluid. The needle is then removed. A chest tube also goes into the pleural space to withdraw and drain off fluids, blood, or air. However, it is kept in place so this evacuation of the fluids, blood or air is continuous. That is the difference between these two things. The chest tube can be attached to low wall suction or just water seal drainage which removes these fluids or air by gravity and the negative pressure of the lung. A third option is for the doctor's to place a one-way flutter valve at the end of a slimmer chest tube in the pleural space. It is for the release of air when there is air in the pleural space due to a pneumothorax and allows the patient the ability to move around without having to drag a bunch of drainage apparatus along with him.

[UM Review RN, ASN, RN]

WARNING: Graphic pics! (Always happy to help our struggling students... )

Here's a pic of a chest tube insertion (scroll down, it's near the middle of the page) and thoracentesis. See the size of the tube vs the needle for a thoracentesis?

http://www.simulab.com/TraumaMan%20Chest%20Tube%20Insertion%20&%20Pericardiocentesis.htm

http://www.pcca.net/Thoracentesis.html

Nursing details here--very interesting read:

http://www.nursewise.com/courses/chestubes_hour.htm

Happy studying!

[Daytonite, BSN, RN]

To Angie O'Plasty, RN:

How do you find all these great sites?

[UM Review RN, ASN, RN]

Oh it's easy. I just Google and if I want a picture, click on the tab for "Images."

I saved 'em to my Favorites, too.