If the patient’s chest tube becomes dislodged, the nurse must cover the insertion site with petroleum gauze and transparent dressing to prevent acute re-accumulation of air in the chest cavity. Once the site is covered, the nurse should notify the provider and prepare for the possible insertion of a new chest tube. After the patient is stabilized, the tube and collection system can be placed in a biohazard bag. Emergency needle decompression may be necessary if re-accumulation of air does occur, but this is not the best initial intervention.