What item should the nurse have ready to place directly over the wound after a chest tube is removed?

After the removal of a chest tube, a petroleum gauze dressing should be placed directly over the wound to create a barrier that prevents air from entering the pleural space and to promote a proper healing environment. Petroleum gauze is designed to adhere lightly to the skin without sticking to the wound, minimizing discomfort during dressing changes, while also being occlusive enough to keep out moisture and air.

This type of dressing is particularly important because a chest tube is typically inserted to manage pneumothorax or pleural effusion, conditions where an air or fluid imbalance exists in the pleural space. Keeping the site sealed off with a petroleum dressing can prevent the risk of re-accumulation of air or fluid, thereby reducing the potential for complications such as pneumothorax or infection.

While alternative dressing options may provide some barrier function, they may not offer the same level of occlusiveness and protection against external contamination as petroleum gauze. Therefore, choosing the petroleum gauze dressing ensures that the wound is adequately protected during the critical healing phase following chest tube removal.