Ancillary tests and procedures

Question 1

what proportion of patients with bacterial pneumonia may not be able to produce sputum?

Answer 1

1/3

Question 2

what steps may help improve quality of the specimen obtained?

Answer 2

1. obtain before abx treatment
2. rinsing mouth prior to expectoration (not antiseptic)
3. no food for 1-2 hours prior
4. inoculation of culture media immediately after

Question 3

does a negative sputum sample test exclude the diagnosis of NSCLC?

Answer 3

no

Question 4

what is the indication for sputum sample in the context of lung cancer?

Answer 4

patients with suspected NSCLC who are unable or unwilling to undergo other diagnostic procedures

Question 5

what are the potential contraindications to thoracentesis?

Answer 5

coagulopathy
small effusions
hemodynamic instability
mechanical ventilation with high airway pressures

Question 6

medical thoracoscopy: indications

Answer 6

pleural effusion
malignancy
infections

Question 7

pleurodesis: indications

Answer 7

malignant effusions
refractory symptomatic non-malignant effusions
recurrent spontaneous pneumothorax

Question 8

pleurodesis: contraindications

Answer 8

trapped lung

underlying severe lung disease