What is the primary purpose of a chest tube in pneumothorax management?

• A. Remove air/fluid and re-expand the lung, restoring negative intrapleural pressure
• B. Increase intrapleural pressure to prevent lung collapse
• C. Deliver humidified oxygen to the lung
• D. Monitor vascular flow through the chest

Answer: (A)

In pneumothorax management, the chest tube’s main job is to remove air (and any fluid) from the pleural space so the lung can re-expand and the intrapleural pressure becomes negative again. When air leaks into the pleural space, intrapleural pressure becomes less negative or even positive, causing the lung to collapse. By providing a controlled path for air to escape, the chest tube allows the lung to re-expand and the vacuum that keeps the lung inflated to be restored. The drainage system often uses a water-seal or suction to prevent air from re-entering the chest and to keep drainage ongoing. Supplemental humidified oxygen can help with oxygenation, but it doesn’t fix the mechanical problem of lung re-expansion—that’s the chest tube’s job. Increasing intrapleural pressure would worsen collapse, and monitoring vascular flow isn’t the chest tube’s purpose.