What type of dressing should be applied to secure the chest tube site?

• A. Sterile occlusive dressing
• B. Non-sterile
• C. Wet gauze only
• D. No dressing

Answer: (A)

A chest tube site needs a clean, airtight barrier that also protects the wound from infection. A sterile occlusive dressing provides exactly that: it is free of microbes and non-porous, creating a tight seal around the tube to minimize air leaks and keep pathogens out as the site heals.

Using a non-sterile dressing increases infection risk because it can introduce bacteria. A wet gauze only dressing isn’t reliably airtight and can become saturated or adhere to tissue, compromising the seal. No dressing leaves the site exposed to air and contaminants and can allow the tube to move or become dislodged.

So, a sterile occlusive dressing is the best choice to secure the chest tube site.