Pleural effusion

Question 1

“Ef”?

Answer 1

out of

Question 2

What is pleural effusion also known as?

Answer 2

Hydrothorax

Question 3

Hydro?

Answer 3

referring to fluid

Question 4

Pleural effusion?

Answer 4

Accumulation of fluid between the pleura

Question 5

How does pleural effusion differ from pleural edema?

Answer 5

Pulmonary edema is fluid within the lungs where as pleural effusion is accumulation of fluid between pleura

Question 6

Name all of the types of fluid.

Answer 6

Transudate 
Empyema 
Chylothorax 
Hemothorax 
Inflammatory/Exudate

Question 7

Inflammatory fluid?

Answer 7

Exudate d/t inflammation made of plasma, proteins and defense cells. It has an increased protein count

Question 8

Hemothorax?

Answer 8

If blood fills the pleural space d/t injury to a blood vessel

Question 9

Chylothorax?

Answer 9

If lymph fill the pleural space

Question 10

Empyema?

Answer 10

Purulent exudate d/t infection

Question 11

Transudate?

Answer 11

non-inflammatory fluid with decreased protein count

Question 12

Do membranes have capillaries?

Answer 12

Yes

Question 13

How does fluid move into the pleural space?

Answer 13

Via. transcapillary exchange

Question 14

What will an increased CHP or decreased OP cause in pleural effusion?

Answer 14

It will cause fluid shift into the pleural space

Question 15

Pleural space?

Answer 15

space between the parietal and visceral pleura lining the lungs

Question 16

Fill in the blank. Pleural effusion is a type of _______

Answer 16

Third spacing

Question 17

Etiology of pleural effusion?

Answer 17

• usually d/t CHF
• lung infection resulting in inflammation, increased cap permeability
• Lung Cancer
• Pulmonary infarction

Question 18

How does CHF cause pleural effusion?

Answer 18

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

Question 19

How does pulmonary infarction cause pleural effusion?

Answer 19

Injury d/t ischemia/CA/infection -> inflm -> fluid shift (exudate)

Question 20

What is the pathology of pleural effusion?

Answer 20

Fluid enters into the capillaries of parietal membranes -> drains into parietal lymphatic vessels -> if entry exceed drainage then fluid accumulation leads to pleural effusion

Question 21

Manifestations of pleural effusion

Answer 21

• R/T cause
• Impacts ability of lungs to inflate -> dyspnea
• Pleuritic pain

Question 22

Why does pleuritic pain occur in pleural effusion?

Answer 22

Trying to push air into lungs, but have compression and pressure on lung from fluid accumulation -> pain

Question 23

Diagnostics of pleuritic pain?

Answer 23

Chest xray

U/S & CT

Question 24

Treatment of pleuritic pain?

Answer 24

• Based on cause

- Thoracentesis & fluid analysis

Question 25

Why is a volume expander not necessary for thoracentesis?

Answer 25

Because compared to the abdomen the pleural space has a relatively small volume

Question 26

Explain the procedure of thoracentesis.

Answer 26

Fluid is gradually drained with a chest tube
Fluid sample is collected and analyzed to determine the type of fluid and the cause of the third spacing (which determines tx)