A chest tube is indicated for which of the following conditions?

• A. Pneumothorax
• B. Unstable hypertension
• C. Mild bronchitis
• D. Back strain

Answer: (A)

A chest tube is used to drain air or fluid from the pleural space to re-expand the lung by restoring the negative pressure that keeps the lung inflated. This makes pneumothorax the situation that most clearly requires a chest tube: when air accumulates in the pleural space, the lung collapses and breathing becomes difficult. In larger pneumothoraces or in a tension pneumothorax, rapid drainage with a chest tube is essential to prevent respiratory failure and hemodynamic compromise. The other choices don’t involve air or fluid needing pleural drainage—unstable hypertension is a cardiovascular issue, mild bronchitis is an inflammatory airway disease, and back strain is a musculoskeletal issue—so they don’t indicate placing a chest tube.