tci Part B Insider - 2015 Issue 42

Reader Question: Know How to Identify Thoracentesis

Question: A patient with shortness of breath reports to the ED. The physician obtains pertinent historical information and performs an exam, including auscultation of the lungs, which sound muffled.  He then taps on the patient’s chest and notes a dull “thud.” A chest X-ray confirms the presence of a large pleural effusion. Notes substantiate a level-four E/M. Based on the evaluation, the physician decides to perform thoracentesis. After the patient is prepped, pleural fluid is withdrawn through a needle into a syringe and sent to the laboratory for analysis. A catheter is left in place...

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