Which statement best describes chest-tube care during patient transport?

• A. Disconnect the chest tube to ease movement.
• B. Only monitor drainage, ignore vitals.
• C. Keep system closed and upright, secure all connections, carry spare tubing, monitor drainage and vitals.
• D. Open system during transport to allow drainage.

Answer: (C)

During transport, the chest-tube setup must remain a closed, upright system with all connections secured. Keeping the system closed prevents air from entering the pleural space and preserves any suction that’s in use, while keeping it upright uses gravity to aid drainage and prevents backflow toward the chest. Securing every connection stops accidental disconnection as the patient moves, and carrying spare tubing provides a quick fix if a component becomes damaged. Continuous monitoring of both drainage and the patient’s vitals is essential because changes in output or stability can signal problems like tube displacement, an air leak, or worsening respiratory status. This combination of a closed, upright, well-secured system with readiness for tubing issues and vigilant monitoring is the safest approach during transport.