Chest Tubes

GENERAL INFORMATION:

What is it? Chest tubes (also called chest drainage tubes) are used to remove air, fluid, or blood from inside your chest. You may have air, fluid, or blood inside your chest because of an injury or illness. This may cause your lung to collapse.

Causes: You may need a chest tube for any of the following problems.

• An injury to your chest.
  
  
• An infection in your chest.
  
  
• Surgery on your heart or lungs.

Signs and Symptoms: The following symptoms are caused by air, fluid, or blood inside the chest that pushes against the lung This causes problems with the way the lung works.

• Shortness of breath.
  
  
• Sharp chest pain.
  
  
• Coughing.

CARE AGREEMENT:

You have the right to help plan your care. To help with this plan, you must learn about your health condition and how it may be treated. You can then discuss treatment options with your caregivers. Work with them to decide what care may be used to treat you. You always have the right to refuse treatment.

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