Chest Tube Management

Course Code: REL-ACU-0-CTM

Hours: 1.25

Type: Online Course

Content Expiration Date: 12/31/2025

Learning Objectives:
Describe thoracic anatomy and pathophysiology relative to the use of chest tubes
Discuss risk factors and potential complications before, during, and after chest tube placement.
Describe the proper techniques for chest tube management.

Outline:

Section 1: Introduction

About This Course

Learning Objectives

Section 2: Thoracic Anatomy and Physiology

Chest Anatomy

The Physics of Gas

Mechanics of Breathing

Summary

Section 3: Chest Tubes: Purpose and Indications for Use

Purpose of Chest Tubes

Clinical Indications

Section 4: Chest Tube Placement, Selection, and Drainage Systems

Thoracostomy

Chest Tube Selection

Patient Positioning

Chest Tube Insertion

Water-seal Drainage Systems

Chest Tube Drainage Units

Dry Suction Systems

Section 5: Management Principles

Potential Complications Associated with Chest Tubes

Patient Assessment

Assessing Air Leaks

Tidaling

High Negative Pressure Safety Features

Intrathoracic Pressure

Drainage

Monitoring and Managing the Chest Drainage Unit

Changing a Chest Drainage Unit

Chest Tube Removal

Section 6: Conclusion

Course Summary

Course Contributor(s)

Resources

References

Instructor: Ashley M. Coffey, RN

Ashley Coffey, RN, BSN, BA is a SME nurse writer for Relias with a focus in Acute Care. She holds three bachelor's degrees from UNC-Chapel Hill: in English Literature, Linguistics, and Nursing. With over ten years of nursing experience in critical care, post-surgical care, and post-anesthesia care units in university and community hospitals across the United States, she fosters a particular passion for balancing time constraints with necessary, engaging education for nurses.

Target Audience:
The target audience for this course is: Nurses; in the following settings: Acute Care Facility.

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All courses offered by Relias Learning, LLC are developed from a foundation of diversity, inclusiveness, and a multicultural perspective. Knowledge, values and awareness related to cultural competency are infused throughout the course content.

To earn continuing education credit for this course you must achieve a passing score of 80% on the post-test and complete the course evaluation.

Course Delivery Method and Format
Asynchronous Distance Learning with interactivity which includes quizzes with questions/answers, and posttests.