Follow-up care after chest tube removal includes leaving the dressing on for how long?

• A. 24 hours
• B. 48 hours
• C. 72 hours
• D. 1 week

Answer: (B)

After chest tube removal, the incision site needs time to seal and for any potential minor air leak to resolve. Keeping the dressing in place for about 48 hours provides a sterile barrier during this healing window, reducing the risk of infection and protecting the tract as it closes. Removing it too soon (like after 24 hours) can expose the wound to bacteria or let a small leak go unnoticed, while waiting longer than two days is usually unnecessary and can cause skin irritation. So, leaving the dressing on for roughly 48 hours is the practical, standard approach.