Chest Tubes Flashcards
What is pleuritis?
Inflammation of pleura (#1 sign is pain)
What is a pleural effusion?
Fluid in the lungs
What is a pneumothorax?
Air in the pleural space (lung collapse)
What is a hemothorax?
Blood in the pleural space
Pleural fluid may be transudate or exudate, what is tranudate?
When fluid leaks into the empty space bc of inadequate blood circulation. (Ex. heart failure pts)
Pleural fluid may be transudate or exudate, what is exudate?
Biprodutcs of an infection- empyema
What is empyema?
Pus in lungs
What type of fluid may there be in a pleural effusion?
Blood, pleural fluid, chyle or empyema
What is chyle?
Lymphatic fluid
What are manifestations of pleural effusion?
Dyspnea, increased RR, change in LOC bc of hypoxemia
What are the treatment options for a pleural effusion?
Thoracentesis, if large then chest tubes, or a pleurodesis
What is a thoracentesis?
Large needle placed in thorax to aspirate fluid out for testing
What is a pleurodesis?
Creation of adhesions b/t parietal and visceral pleura to prevent recurrent pneumothorax
How are the adhesions created for a pleurodesis?
Instillation of a chemical agent into chest tube to cause inflammation and scar tissue so fluid can’t build up: Doxycycline or talc
Why is a pleurodesis controversial?
Bc it’s very painful and doesn’t return efficient lung use afterwards bc of the scar tissue that built up in lungs
What is a sensitive indicator to oxygenation status?
Change in LOC
How does a pneumothorax occur?
When visceral or parietal pleura are breached (hole) and air enters pleural space; lung expansion is impaired and lung collapses
What is a traumatic pneumothorax?
Result of blunt or penetrating trauma
What is the diff b/t closed and open traumatic pneumothorax?
Closed: blunt force trauma, fracture. Open: Gun shot, stabbing wound or surgical procedure
What is atelectasis?
Area of the alveoli is not ventilating; partial collapse