The nurse is providing care for a patient with a pneumothorax.She anticipated removal of the chest tube because of the absence of an air leak for the past _____ hours.

A) 6 to 8
B) 12 to 16
C) 18 to 24
D) 48 to 72

One of the signs that indicate that the chest tube may be removed is lack of an air leak for 24 to 48 hours.Lack of an air leak for less than 24 hours is usually not long enough,and there is no need to wait 4 days.Other findings that indicate that the chest tube may be removed include a chest x-ray showing lung reexpansion,minimal tube drainage,and lack of water-seal tidaling.