What is the name of the one-way valve used in continuous pleural drainage?

• A. Edwards valve
• B. Heimlich
• C. Blake drain valve
• D. Swan-Ganz valve

Answer: (B)

The concept tested is how a one-way mechanism enables continuous pleural drainage without letting air or fluid flow back into the chest. The Heimlich valve is a flutter-type one-way valve designed for this purpose. It opens to allow drainage when there is positive pressure from the pleural space (such as a persistent air leak or ongoing pneumothorax) and closes to prevent backflow, so drainage can continue even without a connected underwater seal. This makes it ideal for ambulatory or ongoing pleural drainage situations. Other devices listed are used in related but different contexts: Edwards valves are associated with underwater-seal drainage systems, Swan-Ganz valves relate to pulmonary artery catheters, and Blake drain configurations aren’t the standard one-way valve for continuous pleural drainage.