The nurse is caring for a patient with a chest tube.What outcome would indicate the chest tube can be discontinued?

A) No further bubbling is seen in the water seal chamber.
B) No further drainage is measured from the chest tube.
C) Chest x-ray shows the lungs are fully inflated.
D) The patient's respirations are regular and unlabored.

When the pleural space is free of air,and there is no longer air leaking into the pleural space,bubbling in the water seal chamber will stop,indicating the chest tube can be discontinued.It is expected that the largest quantity of drainage will occur when the chest tube is first placed.Although reduced drainage is a positive sign,this is not an adequate sign to discontinue the chest tube.Chest x-rays will often reflect a fully inflated lung shortly after the chest tube is placed,indicating the chest tube is doing its job.Premature discontinuation will cause the affected lung to collapse again.Respirations should ease as soon as the chest tube is placed,and this is not an indication the chest tube can be removed.