Continuous Bubbling In Water Seal Chamber

Bubbling in the water seal chamber is normal and is caused by air passing out of the pleural space into the fluid chamber.

Continuous bubbling in water seal chamber. If removing excess air is the goal of the chest drain then the water seal chamber may bubble inconsistently mainly on inspiration as the air leaves the chest. The fluctuation shouldn t change while the tube is inserted because it s fluctuating due to normal ventilation. What action is most appropriate. Make sure the water seal chamber is filled with sterile water to the level specified by the manufacturer.

Continuous bubbling during inspiration and expiration indicates that there is an air leak. Intermittent bubbling is normal. It indicates that the system is accomplishing a purpose which is to remove air from the pleural space. It should resolve as the lung reexpands.

Should have fluctuating fluid level in water seal chamber. The water in the chamber will increase during inspiration and decrease during expiration. The water seal chamber is the one way valve that allows air to leave the pleural space as with a pneumothorax. When assessing the water seal chamber what do you expect to find.

Right next to the suction control chamber is the water seal chamber. Intermittent bubbling corresponding to respirations in the water seal chamber indicates an air leak from the pleural space. If bubbling in the water seal chamber is continuous suspect a leak in the system. If none means obstruction or clot.

If using suction make sure the suction unit s pressure level causes slow but steady bubbling in the suction control chamber. There will be continuous bubbling noted in the chamber. Have bubbling in suction control chamber. The nurse caring for a client with a pneumothorax and who has had a chest tube inserted notes continuous gentle bubbling in the water seal chamber.

The water in the chamber will. Have no bubbling in water seal chamber if does indicates air leak.