Thoracentesis Flashcards
Thoracentesis: What’s the 2 reasons for the procedure?
1) To instill medication into pleural space
2) Remove fluid (effusion) or air for therapeutic relief of pleural pressure.
1) What kind of anesthetic is used?
2) Use of what diagnostic procedure decreases chance of complications?
1) Local Anesthesia
2) Ultrasound
Potential Diagnoses for Thoracentesis
Transudates (heart failure, cirrhosis, nephritic syndrome)
Exudates (inflammatory, infectious, neoplastic)
Empyema
Pneumonia
Chest injuries
Empyema Definition
Collection of pus in pleural space
Client S/S for Procedure
s.o.b, cough, decreased breath sounds, dull percussions, decreased chest wall expansion
Aspirated fluid from Thoracentesis measures what labs?
Protein & glucose content, enzymes (LDH) and amylase.
Obtain what diagnostic test prior to procedure?
Chest X-Ray
Client education: during procedure, instruct client not to do what?
Don’t talk/cough
How much fluid can be removed at a time? Why is this?
1 L, prevents cardiovascular collapse.
Post procedure
How to position client?
Monitor V.S. how often?
Obtain what diagnostic test? Rules out what?
Position client on unaffected side for 1 hour
hourly for first several hours
Obtain Chest X-Ray to rule out pneumothorax
Complications of procedure
1) pneumothorax: S/S
2) Bleeding
3) Infection
1) S/S: diminished breath sounds
2) Coughing/blood tinged sputum, hypotension, reduced Hgb level.
3) Temp
Hypotension from procedure indicates what?
Intrathoracic bleeding
What finding should a nurse report to the primary care provider following a bronchoscopy?
Bronchospasms
