Pleural effusion Flashcards
“Ef”?
out of
What is pleural effusion also known as?
Hydrothorax
Hydro?
referring to fluid
Pleural effusion?
Accumulation of fluid between the pleura
How does pleural effusion differ from pleural edema?
Pulmonary edema is fluid within the lungs where as pleural effusion is accumulation of fluid between pleura
Name all of the types of fluid.
Transudate Empyema Chylothorax Hemothorax Inflammatory/Exudate
Inflammatory fluid?
Exudate d/t inflammation made of plasma, proteins and defense cells. It has an increased protein count
Hemothorax?
If blood fills the pleural space d/t injury to a blood vessel
Chylothorax?
If lymph fill the pleural space
Empyema?
Purulent exudate d/t infection
Transudate?
non-inflammatory fluid with decreased protein count
Do membranes have capillaries?
Yes
How does fluid move into the pleural space?
Via. transcapillary exchange
What will an increased CHP or decreased OP cause in pleural effusion?
It will cause fluid shift into the pleural space
Pleural space?
space between the parietal and visceral pleura lining the lungs
Fill in the blank. Pleural effusion is a type of _______
Third spacing
Etiology of pleural effusion?
- usually d/t CHF
- lung infection resulting in inflammation, increased cap permeability
- Lung Cancer
- Pulmonary infarction
How does CHF cause pleural effusion?
Causing pooling of blood as vessels become congested d/t failure of the heart to continue blood flow = increased CHP = fluid (transudate) pushed from capillaries into interstitial space of membranes -> pleural space/cavity
How does pulmonary infarction cause pleural effusion?
Injury d/t ischemia/CA/infection -> inflm -> fluid shift (exudate)
What is the pathology of pleural effusion?
Fluid enters into the capillaries of parietal membranes -> drains into parietal lymphatic vessels -> if entry exceed drainage then fluid accumulation leads to pleural effusion
Manifestations of pleural effusion
- R/T cause
- Impacts ability of lungs to inflate -> dyspnea
- Pleuritic pain
Why does pleuritic pain occur in pleural effusion?
Trying to push air into lungs, but have compression and pressure on lung from fluid accumulation -> pain
Diagnostics of pleuritic pain?
Chest xray
U/S & CT
Treatment of pleuritic pain?
- Based on cause
- Thoracentesis & fluid analysis
