Pneumothorax
Nursing Care of the Baby with a Chest Drain

 

 Reviewed by Charge Nurse Newborn
October 2007
Clinical Guidelines Back Newborn Services Home Page

Step

Action
1 Padded artery forceps at bedside.
2 If baby to be transported ensure the atrium chest drain unit is not lifted higher than baby’s chest and is kept in upright position.
3 Record air leak zone activity hourly on Level 3 chart, or the chest drain chart.  Record as continuous bubbling (CB), intermittent bubbling (IB), or no movement (N).
4 Level in collection chamber read and recorded on the chest drain chart.  Graduated in 1ml increments (infant paediatric drain).
5

Monitor continuously.

  • Hourly recordings – cardio-respiratory and SpO2 status.

  • Q4H BP.
6 Baby is not usually nursed prone. Positioning is determined by area of air leak.
7 Baby is not taken out of incubator/off heat table for cuddle with parents.
8 Ensure parents are kept informed of baby’s condition.
9 Analgesia is given as prescribed.