Question

6. To reduce asthma flare-up CASE STUDY Joe, age 72, has been diagnosed with pleural effusion. He is having difficulty breathing. The physician said e would need a thoracentesis to relieve the pressure and help his breathing pattern improve. Describe a thoracentesis procedure. on wolon 01 20w205 OVO

Answer 1

Joe was advised for Thoracentesis process to aid him in breathing. This process is characterized by insertion of a fine needle in pleural space between the lung and the chest wall.This process is mainly considered to remove the excess fluid in this space to enable the individual to breathe better. Some common conditions such as heart failure, lung infection and tumors are responsible for pleural effusion. The procedure is as follows-

The doctor makes the patient sit comfortably in a chair turned over with arms and legs rested. The doctor determines the best location to insert the needle using ultrasound. After providing locally anaesthesia the location the needle is inserted between the ribs into pleural space and this may cause some discomfort to the patient. After the fluid is extracted out from the lung cavities the needle will be removed and a dressing will be applied on the insertion location.

This procedure will help in better breathing and the fluid will be tested for infection or the cause of effusion for further treatment.