A 55-year-old man on ICU has a traumatic haemopneumothorax. A chest drain is inserted and connected to an underwater seal. The underwater seal shows c...

Question

A 55-year-old man on ICU has a traumatic haemopneumothorax. A chest drain is inserted and connected to an underwater seal. The underwater seal shows continuous bubbling that does not stop when the patient holds his breath. What does continuous bubbling unrelated to respiration indicate?

Accepted Answer

An air leak in the drainage system (e.g. loose connection, cracked collection chamber, or drain holes outside the pleural space)

Answer

A large bronchopleural air leak

Answer

Normal chest drain function

Answer

The underwater seal needs topping up

Answer

The patient has COPD

uk-fficm MCQ (SBA): Chest Drain Troubleshooting

A 55-year-old man on ICU has a traumatic haemopneumothorax. A chest drain is inserted and connected to an underwater seal. The underwater seal shows continuous bubbling that does not stop when the patient holds his breath. What does continuous bubbling unrelated to respiration indicate?