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    Pleural Effusion & Thoracentesis

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    vishalmakadia
    Pleural effusion occurs when there is an excessive accumulation of fluid in the pleural space surrounding the lungs, usually greater than 15ml. This prevents full lung expansion and decreases gas exchange. Common causes are pneumonia and heart failure. Signs include chest pain with breathing, shortness of breath, reduced breath sounds, and dullness to percussion on exam. Thoracentesis is a procedure to drain the fluid where a needle is inserted between the ribs into the pleural space. Patients stop blood thinners beforehand and get a chest x-ray before and after. After the procedure, deep breathing helps reinflate the lungs and lying on the unaffected side is recommended to promote drainage. Potential complications include pneumothorax and hyperres

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    Pleural Effusion & Thoracentesis

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    vishalmakadia
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    Pleural effusion occurs when there is an excessive accumulation of fluid in the pleural space surrounding the lungs, usually greater than 15ml. This prevents full lung expansion and decreases gas exchange. Common causes are pneumonia and heart failure. Signs include chest pain with breathing, shortness of breath, reduced breath sounds, and dullness to percussion on exam. Thoracentesis is a procedure to drain the fluid where a needle is inserted between the ribs into the pleural space. Patients stop blood thinners beforehand and get a chest x-ray before and after. After the procedure, deep breathing helps reinflate the lungs and lying on the unaffected side is recommended to promote drainage. Potential complications include pneumothorax and hyperres

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    Nursing

    Original Title

    12. Pleural Effusion & Thoracentesis

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    Pleural effusion occurs when there is an excessive accumulation of fluid in the pleural space surrounding the lungs, usually greater than 15ml. This prevents full lung expansion and decreases gas exchange. Common causes are pneumonia and heart failure. Signs include chest pain with breathing, shortness of breath, reduced breath sounds, and dullness to percussion on exam. Thoracentesis is a procedure to drain the fluid where a needle is inserted between the ribs into the pleural space. Patients stop blood thinners beforehand and get a chest x-ray before and after. After the procedure, deep breathing helps reinflate the lungs and lying on the unaffected side is recommended to promote drainage. Potential complications include pneumothorax and hyperres

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    6 views1 page

    Pleural Effusion & Thoracentesis

    Uploaded by

    vishalmakadia
    Pleural effusion occurs when there is an excessive accumulation of fluid in the pleural space surrounding the lungs, usually greater than 15ml. This prevents full lung expansion and decreases gas exchange. Common causes are pneumonia and heart failure. Signs include chest pain with breathing, shortness of breath, reduced breath sounds, and dullness to percussion on exam. Thoracentesis is a procedure to drain the fluid where a needle is inserted between the ribs into the pleural space. Patients stop blood thinners beforehand and get a chest x-ray before and after. After the procedure, deep breathing helps reinflate the lungs and lying on the unaffected side is recommended to promote drainage. Potential complications include pneumothorax and hyperres

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    Download as PDF, TXT or read online from Scribd
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    Pleural Effusion & Thoracentesis

    Pathophysiology Course

    Pathophysiology

    Pleural Effusion think Plenty of Fluid in the lung space, specifically fluid
    collection in the pleural space greater than 15 mls of fluid. This fluid
    prevents full expansion of the lung & results in decreased gas exchange > 15ml
    & atelectasis (collapse of the alveoli).

    Causes

    • Pneumonia (lung infection), which fills the lungs with fluid.


    • Heart failure causing pulmonary edema, where heavy fluid
    builds up in the lungs.

    Signs & Symptoms


    L L
    KEY SIGNS
    DULL RESONANCE FLUID FILLED LUNGS
    1. Chest pain during inhalation
    2. Dyspnea
    3. Diminished breath sounds
    4. Dull resonance on percussion

    Nursing Interventions BEFORE procedure:

    Thoracentesis STOP all blood thinners:


    1st
    1. Provider places a needle through ● Antiplatelets: aspirin &
    an intercostal space (the space clopidogrel
    between the ribs) to gently ● Anticoagulants: Warfarin
    puncture the lung & drain the fluid! & heparin (enoxaparin)
    2. Sign a consent form
    3. Chest X ray before & AFTER procedure to compare fluid & lung expansion
    AFTER a thoracentesis:
    • Deep breaths to help re-expand the lungs & promote adequate oxygen exchange
    • Lie on the unaffected lung to keep BAD LUNG UP!

    Complications

    Pneumothorax
    REPORT to HCP
    ● Asymmetrical chest expansion
    & decreased breath sounds on
    affected side
    ● Hyperresonance

    ● Deviated Trachea Hyperresonance

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