The respiratory therapist notices on a patient’s chest tube drainage system that there is fluctuation of the water level in the water-seal chamber with each patient breath, and that air bubbles are seen only in the suction control chamber, which has a suction pressure of − 20 cm H₂O. The most appropriate action is which of the following?
A. Clamp the chest tube and check for leaks.
B. Insert the chest tube farther, until bubbling stops in the vacuum chamber.
C. Withdraw the chest tube until bubbling starts in the water-seal chamber.
D. Recommend a chest radiograph to determine whether the pneumothorax has resolved.