Which is a common chest-tube complication?

• A. Bleeding
• B. Hyperglycemia
• C. Hair loss at insertion site
• D. Liver injury

Answer: (A)

Bleeding is a common chest-tube complication because the tube passes through the chest wall and into the pleural space, which can disrupt small vessels and lung tissue. Even with careful technique, minor oozing at the insertion site is often seen, and more significant hemorrhage can occur if a vessel is injured or if the patient has a coagulopathy. Clinically, watch for persistent bleeding from the dressing, increasing drainage, or signs of hemodynamic instability, and respond by securing hemodynamics and involving surgical teams if needed.

Hyperglycemia is a metabolic issue that can occur in critically ill patients but is not a direct chest-tube complication. Hair loss at the insertion site isn’t a typical consequence of chest-tube placement, and liver injury would be relatively uncommon and would usually require an incorrect, very low placement.