Today, the increased complexity of patient condition now requires health care workers to have knowledge of and perform more comprehensive patient care. This module describes the purpose of typical chest-related tubes and lines used in the management of critically ill patients. Also presented are the normal radiographic appearances of tubes and lines and associated clinical complications.

Planners, content specialists and feedback personnel have declared that there is no conflict of interest in the preparation and content of this module. There is no commercial support for or endorsement of products in this module.

After studying the information presented here, the learner should be able to:

• Describe the function of indwelling tubes and lines commonly used in the care of the critically ill patient.
• Identify typical complications associated with commonly used invasive tubes/lines.
• Describe appropriate interdisciplinary actions required when interacting with a patient who has invasive tubes/lines.
• Recognize radiographic appearances of commonly used invasive tubes/lines.

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