pleural effusion

Question 1

difference between exudate and transudate?

Answer 1

Exudate = >30g/L protein;
- eggs = high protein

Transudate = <30g/L protein
- organ failures

Question 2

mx?

Answer 2

Congestive heart failure;

1. Diuretics
2. If large + symptomatic; Therapeutic thoracocentesis
   
   • • Oxygen

Infective;

1. IV antibiotics; co-amoxiclav and metronidazole
2. Thoracocentesis
3. Drain empyema if present

Malignant;

1. poor performance status; thoracocentesis
2. good performance status; pleurodesis

Question 3

Notes on therapeutic thoracocentesis?

Answer 3

must be drained slowly and monitored 15minutely aftewards due to potentially life-threatening re-expansion pulmonary oedema

Question 4

what is pleurodesis?

Answer 4

Pleurodesis is a medical procedure in which part of the pleural space is artificially obliterated.

It involves the adhesion of the visceral and the costal pleura.

by injecting a med like tetracycline through chest drain

Question 5

symptoms of a reexpansion pulmonary oedema?

Answer 5

chest discomfort,
persistent severe cough,
production of frothy sputum
and dyspnea