Questions: The urge on the previous shift was closed drainage system for a patient with a new pleural chest tube. The nurse on the current shift assesses the system and notices that: O. D. Add more water to the water seal chamber O. C. Increase the suction on the wall regulator O. B. Remove water in the sealing grommet O. A. Set up a new closed drainage system Which action is the most appropriate?

The answer is the first one (O. D): Add more water to the water seal chamber.

Explanation for each option:

O. D. Add more water to the water seal chamber: This is the most appropriate action if the water level in the water seal chamber is low. The water seal is crucial for maintaining the negative pressure needed to keep the lung inflated and to prevent air from entering the pleural space. Ensuring the correct water level is essential for the proper functioning of the chest tube system.

O. C. Increase the suction on the wall regulator: Increasing the suction may not be necessary or appropriate without specific indications. The suction level should be set according to the physician's orders and the patient's condition. Arbitrarily increasing suction can cause harm or discomfort to the patient.

O. B. Remove water in the sealing grommet: Removing water from the sealing grommet is not a standard procedure and could potentially disrupt the system's integrity. The water seal is designed to maintain a specific level of water to function correctly.

O. A. Set up a new closed drainage system: Setting up a new system is generally not required unless there is a malfunction or contamination in the current system. It is a more drastic measure and should only be considered if other troubleshooting steps fail.

In summary, adding more water to the water seal chamber is the most appropriate action to ensure the closed drainage system functions correctly.