The RN is assisting with the removal of a chest tube. After the removal, which intervention has the highest priority to anticipate?

• A. Change dressing
• B. Administer analgesia
• C. Prepare for chest x-ray at bedside
• D. Obtain chest CT

Answer: (C)

After removing a chest tube, the highest priority is to quickly check for a pneumothorax and confirm that the lung has re-expanded. The safest, most efficient way to do this is with a bedside chest radiograph. A portable chest X-ray will reveal whether air has entered the pleural space and whether any residual or new pneumothorax is present, guiding immediate actions if needed (such as reinserting a chest tube or adjusting treatment). While protecting the wound with a dressing and managing pain are important for comfort and wound care, they don’t address the potential life-threatening complication that can arise right after removal. A chest CT isn’t routinely required emergently and would delay detecting a pneumothorax.