Other Body Fluids Flashcards
when is a paracentesis performed?
unexplained ascites
excessive volume to relieve abdominal pressure
evaluate post trauma injuries
prefix for “not enough”
oligo-
what is the purpose of the diagnostic paracentesis?
differentiate between transudative (< 3g of protein) and exudative (>3 g of protein)
determines the cause of the effusion (what kind of fluid is it?)
what is a transudative fluid?
from another organ
SAAG >1.1, but otherwise normal values
what is the exudative fluid?
pus or secretion, infectious process
high protein SAAG <1.1, high WBC, low glucose, high LD, cloudy
what is the serum ascitic albumin gradient?
SAAG
Albumin Conc of serum - albumin conc of ascitic fluid = SAAG
SAAG >1.1 g/dL is
transudative
SAAG <1.1 g/dL is
exudative
what are causes of transudative
hepatic cirrhosis
alcoholic cirrhosis
heart failure
portal vein thrombosis
what are causes of exudative
carcinomatosis inflammation of pancreas lymphoma peritonitis/TB ischemic or obstructed bowel
high ammonia and alkaline phosphotase indicates
strangulated bowel
spontaneous bacterial peritonitis
infection of ascitic fluid only
usually in patients with chronic liver disease due to translocation of enteric bacteria
absolute contraindication
do not do it, not matter what
-acute abdomen requiring surgery
relative contraindication
may or may not want to do the procedure depending on pt situation
pericardiocentesis
performed to determine the cause of an unexplained pericardial effusion
also to relieve intrapericardial pressure
