PLEURAL EFFUSION

Question 1

Pleural Conditions

Answer 1

Disorders that involve the membranes covering the lungs (visceral pleura) and the surface of the chest wall (parietal pleura)

Question 2

Disorders affecting the pleural space

Answer 2

• Pleurisy (major pain when breathing)
• Pleural effusion
• Empyema
• Pulmonary edema

Question 3

Pleural Effusion

Answer 3

• Fluid collection in pleural space usually secondary to heart failure, TB, pneumonia, pulmonary infections
• Fever, chills, pleuritic pain, dyspnea
• Decreased or absent breath sounds; decreased fremitus; and a dull, flat sound on percussion
• May have tracheal deviation away from affected side
• Chest x-ray, chest CT, and thoracentesis
• Treat underlying cause

Question 4

Thoracentesis

Answer 4

1st line treatment
- Chest xray
- Ultrasound
Done on side: laterally
Can give diuretic
Monitor for bleeding after procedure
*not done for elevated INR/PTT

Question 5

TYPES OF FLUID IN THE EFFUSION

Answer 5

• Transudate (clear or bloody) congestive heart failure/ pulmonary edema/ renal failure/ liver failure
• Exudative (purulent/ cloudy) cancer, pneumonia, tuberculosis
• Empyema (collection of purulent fluid/ milky/ smelly/ thicker)