Thoracentesis

Question 1

What is the PRIMARY FUNCTION of THORACENTESIS?

Answer 1

Aspiration of fluid

Question 2

What are the 3 FUNCTIONS of Thoracentesis?

Answer 2

Medication Administration, Aspiration, Diagnostic Tests

Question 3

Medical term for FLUID in the pleural space?

Answer 3

Pleural effusion, pleurisy

Question 4

Medical term for BLOOD in the pleural space?

Answer 4

Hemothorax

Question 5

Medical term for PUS in the pleural space?

Answer 5

Empyema

Question 6

Medical term for AIR in the pleural space?

Answer 6

Pneumothorax

Question 7

What is the PRESSURE of atmospheric air and its force?

Answer 7

Positive pressure, pushing force

Question 8

What is the PRESSURE of air in the lungs and its force?

Answer 8

Positive pressure, pushing force

Question 9

What is the PRESSURE of air in the pleural cavity and its force?

Answer 9

Negative pressure, pulling force

Question 10

What is the GOAL of aspiration?

Answer 10

To achieve LUNG REEXPANSION

Question 11

What is the CAUSE of a PNEUMOTHORAX?

Answer 11

Due to excessive POSITIVE PRESSURE in the PLEURAL SPACE

Question 12

What does a PNEUMOTHORAX lead to?

Answer 12

Atelectasis or lung collapse

Question 13

What are the 2 DIAGNOSTIC TESTS done via a THORACENTESIS?

Answer 13

Biopsy and Culture & Sensitivity testing

Question 14

What is the BEST ACCESS SITE for aspiration of AIR?

Answer 14

2nd or 3rd ICS (the higher the better: 2nd)

Question 15

What is the ACCESS/PUNCTURE SITE of a THORACENTESIS ?

Answer 15

At the SIDE OF THE CHEST, in the INTERCOSTAL SPACE

Question 16

What is the BEST ACCESS SITE for aspiration of FLUID, BLOOD, and PUS?

Answer 16

5th - 9th ICS (the lower, the better)

Question 17

What is the BEST PRE-PROCEDURE POSITION for a CONSCIOUS patient?

Answer 17

Orthopneic (sitting and leaning forward on table)

Question 18

What is the BEST PRE-PROCEDURE POSITION for an UNCONSCIOUS patient?

Answer 18

Side-lying position (lay in the UNAFFECTED side)

Question 19

What is the BEST POST-PROCEDURE POSITION?

Answer 19

Side-lying position (lay on the unaffected side)

Question 20

How long should the patient stay in a side-lying position after a THORACENTESIS and what is the rationale behind it?

Answer 20

At least 1-2 HOURS to ALLOW PROPER LUNG REEXPANSION

Question 21

What TYPE OF SHOCK is the patient who underwent THORACENTESIS most at risk for?

Answer 21

Hypovolemic shock

Question 22

How much blood loss is considered a HIGH RISK for SHOCK?

Answer 22

Greater than 500 ml of blood loss

Question 23

What are the THREE TYPES of SHOCK?

Answer 23

CDH (Cardiogenic, Distributive, and Hypovolemic) Shock

Question 24

What are the THREE EXAMPLES of DISTRIBUTIVE SHOCK?

Answer 24

ASS (Anaphylactic, Septic, Spinal)