... Investigating pleural effusion which is evident on chest radiographs should follow a stepwise approach to diagnosis. Diagnosis should always begin with the clinical history, physical examination, chest radiography and followed by thoracentesis. The next step is to differentiate the pleural fluid into transudate and exudates. Analysis of the pleural fluid can narrow the differential diagnosis. Establishment of diagnosis with the analysis of pleural effusion can be done in approximately 75 percent. The gross appearance of the fluid and biochemical parameters can be key to a direct diagnosis or can be process indicating the next step. If underlying cause can be sought with the help of biochemical...
Words: 1897 - Pages: 8
...A pleural effusion indicates that there is an accumulation of fluid between the lung and the chest wall. The pleura are a thin membrane that lines the inside of the chest wall and surrounds the lungs. There is normally a small amount of fluid between the two layers of the pleura. This fluid acts as a lubricant between the lungs and the chest wall, since they move during breathing. A pleural effusion occurs when fluid builds up and this separates the lungs from the chest wall. A pleural effusion is a complication caused by various conditions. Here are some of the most common causes of pleural effusion (but there are also other rarer causes): 1. Lung infection (pneumonia), tuberculosis and cancer, can cause inflammation of the lung and pleura. These conditions can cause a pleural effusion....
Words: 551 - Pages: 3
...Define the following terms in the proper context for the chart of Jane Dare. Jane Dare Health Record Term | Definition | 1. CONGESTIVE HEART FAILURE | Congestive heart failure is when you heart muscles doesn’t pump blood as well as it should. | 2. LEFT PLEURAL EFFUSION | Left Pleural Effusion is a buildup of fluid between the layers of tissue that line the lungs and chest cavity. | 3. NONCONTRIBUTORY | Noncontributory is a form of insurance wherein the employer pays the full premium and the employee is not required to contribute at all. | 4. FUNDOSCOPIC | Fundoscopic is the act of examining the fundus of the eye, as with an ophthalmoscope or with a biomicroscope and slit-lamp. | 5. SUPPLE | Supple is when you can Move and bend with ease. | 6. CRACKLES | A crackle is a small, sharp sound heard on auscultation. It is caused by dry, bristly hair and insufficient pressure on the stethoscopehead. | 7. BENIGN | Benign refers to a condition, tumor, or growth that is not cancerous. | 8. VOIDED | Voiding is another word for emptying the bladder or urinating. | 9. SELF-CARES | Self-cares are care performed for oneself. For example, after the nurse shows a patient how to put on ted stockings and the patient do it for themselves. | 10.COGNITIVE | Cognitive is a generic term embracing the mental activities associated with thinking, learning, and memory. | 11.CARDIOMYOPATHY | Cardiomyopathy is a chronic disease of the heart muscle (myocardium), in which the muscle is abnormally enlarged...
Words: 518 - Pages: 3
...immediate referral, make a telephone referral ♦ Signs of superior vena caval obstruction (swelling of face/neck with fixed elevation of JVP) ♦ Stridor Symptoms for urgent referral: (Check as appropriate) Persistent haemoptysis (smokers/ex-smokers > 40 yrs) Chest x-ray suggestive of lung cancer (inc pleural effusion and slowly resolving consolidation) Normal chest x-ray with high suspicion of lung cancer Symptoms for urgent referral for a chest x-ray: Note: Do not use this form for routine referral for a chest x-ray 1. Haemoptysis 2. Changes in symptoms in patients with underlying chronic respiratory problems 3. Unexplained or persistent (longer than three weeks): (See below) ♦ Weight loss ♦ Chest/shoulder pain ♦ Chest signs ♦ Finger clubbing ♦ Dyspnoea ♦ Cervical/supraclavicular lymphadenopathy ♦ Hoarseness ♦ Cough ♦ Features suggestive of metastasis from a lung cancer (e.g. secondaries in the brain, bone, liver, skin) History: Current or ex-smoker History of exposure to asbestos and recent onset of chest pain History of COPD Previous cancer (especially head & neck) Shortness of breath or unexplained systemic symptoms (where chest x-ray indicates pleural effusion, mass or suspicious lung pathology) Clinical Details:...
Words: 742 - Pages: 3
...Pleurisy Overview The pleurisy is an ' acute inflammation or chronic of the pleura , the double sheet serous that lines the inside of the chest cavity and surrounds the lungs . Often expression of insults viral or bacterial , pleurisy is normally perceived as a strong chest pain , exacerbated by a deep breath and coughing . Pleurisy is synonymous with "pleural chest pain", just to highlight the spasm caused by the rubbing of two inflamed membrane every time the lungs expand to breathe. Cause More often the cause of pleurisy resides in viral infection ( adenovirus and influenza viruses ) or bacterial ( tuberculosis and pneumonia ). However, infections are not the only factors involved in ' etiology of pleurisy. Other causes that contribute...
Words: 818 - Pages: 4
...Health Record Number: 822999 Diagnosis: Congestive heart failure (CHF), Left pleural effusion, pneumonia Related History: The patient has a history of atrial fibrillation, severe regurgitation from the tricuspid and mitral valve dysfunction. Physical Findings: The patient had a difficult fundoscopic exam, with a heart rate of 104, with an irregular gallop, crackles in left lower lobe, right side is dull, red sacral area, 3+ pitting edema to knees, and shortness of breath, difficulty sleeping. Lab/X-ray findings: Chest x-ray: left pleural effusion, CHF, Pneumonia. Course of Treatment: Course of treatment includes admission into the hospital, with the administration of diuretics and IV antibiotics; will also collect blood cultures and sputum if possible. Treatment will also include O2 and bedrest. Medications administered during treatment 25 mg Capoten po tid, 40 mg Furosemide po qd, 10 mg Nortriptyline HCL po qd, and 0.125 mg Digoxin po qod. The patient was also put on low sodium, low cholesterol, and lactose free diet. Condition on Discharge: Patient was discharged to a long term care facility closer to her family. Her strength and endurance improved during her treatment at the facility. Also new x-rays show a slight improvement in the left lower...
Words: 1274 - Pages: 6
...identity and to maintain confidentiality (NMC 2008). (LO 1.8) Patient A is an elderly gentleman living within a residential home, doctors are unable to resolve his underlying medical conditions of Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (CoPD), Heart Failure and Malignancy, which together resulted in him suffering from recurrent Pleural effusion. A Pleural Effusion is an accumulation of fluid in the chest cavity (Rocket 2012) this area normally contains a small amount of Pleural fluid and aids for optimal function of the lungs during respiration (rocket, 2012). However, Patients A’s conditions interfere with the body’s natural ability to reabsorb the fluid, which results in a larger amount of fluid building up, which in turn made the patient have serve breathing difficulties. Doctors decided rather than submitting Patient A for repeated procedures they inserted an Indwelling Pleural Catheter (IPC) into his chest, which allowed medical staff to drain off excess Pleural fluid and eliminate his respiratory symptoms (Rocket 2012). As part of the Nursing Process (KYN107) my mentor, a registered nurse assessed that patient A was able to have his Pleural Catheter drained , it was also assessed that due to the high risk of infection (Wilson, 2006), because of his age and Medical conditions that...
Words: 1364 - Pages: 6
...There are many chest drainage systems but the most traditional is underwater seal chest drainage system. This system is a device that is attached to long hollow plastic tube that is inserted in the the chest wall between the ribs and pleural space. The purpose of this system is to allow blood,fluids,pus or air to be drained from the intrathoracic space. In doing so this allows the lung to re-inflate by restoring negative pressure. underwater seal chest Drainage system is commonly used in the treatment of pneumothorax, pleural effusion, and empyema. An underwater seal drainage system typically has four components the drainage chamber, the water seal chamber ,the suction control chamber and the positive pressure valve. The first chamber is the drainage chamber, this chamber is where the drainage from the chest is collected. The second chamber is the the water seal chamber, this chamber allows air to leave the chest and not renter.Tidaling may be seen which is fluctuation of sterile water in the chamber secondary to inhalation and exhalation. Gently bubbling may be seen in this chamber if the patient coughs or exhales. Continually bubbling in this chamber is indicative of a system and all tubing from Client to device should be checked. The third chamber is the suction control chamber the height of the sterile water in this chamber will determine the amount of negative pressure that is applied. The higher the sterile water volume, more suction will be produced. To much suction...
Words: 337 - Pages: 2
...Case Study Pleural effusion NSG/340 Sandra Gilderson, MSN/Ed, RN Case Study Diagnosis and admission A.B. admitting diagnosis pleural effusion, pulmonary infiltrates possible pneumonia based on the result of chest x-ray. Also the presenting signs and symptom provided information that can link to pleural effusion evidenced of his signs and symptoms Pleural effusion Is an abnormal collection of fluid in the pleural space, it is not a disease but an indication of a disease (Lavie et al, 2014). Difference between transudate and exudate “A transudate effusion occurs primarily in noninflammatory conditions and is an accumulation of protein-poor, cell-poor fluid” (Lavie et al, 2014, p. 549). The fluid is leaking into the pleural space, the hydrostatic pressure is increased in the blood vessels, and the protein is low. “An exudate effusion results from increased capillary permeability characteristic of inflammatory reaction. It is most commonly associated with infections and malignancies” (Lavie et al., 2014, p. 549). The blood vessel is blocked or the inflammation result from fluid escaping into the tissues and cavities. Three common causes of pleural effusion “Pleural effusions can arise from a variety of disease states or medications including heart failure, bacterial pneumonia, and pulmonary embolism” (Saguil et al., 2014 p. 2). The reduction in lung volume, depression of the diaphragm and reduced chest wall compliance cause dyspnea, and occasionally pain or cough (Myatt...
Words: 1719 - Pages: 7
...February 5, 2015 Avis Ku 20 Victoria Street, 6th Floor Toronto, ON M5C 2N8 aviskmk@cbcf.org Abby Chiu Junior Project Assistant Canadian Breast Cancer Foundation 62 Robin Street, Apt. 3B, Toronto, ON M4D 2P3 Dear Abby Chiu, This letter is to confirm our discussion today that your employment with Canadian Breast Cancer Foundation will be terminated effectively as of Monday, February 8, 2015. As you know, our organization has been experiencing the decrease of public funding and donations over the past two years. Due to the various budget-cutting measures, we can no longer keep you as Junior Project Assistant in our organization. We regret doing this terribly, but we have no other option. Over the next three months, we will start eliminating our workforce from 20 employees to 15 employees. We deeply appreciate the loyalty of our employees. However, we believe that loyalty is a two way street. Therefore, we have decided to retain our workforce with the greatest amount of seniority and experience. Although you have only worked here for six months, you are a very talented project assistant with your efficient work performance. I feel confident that you will find another suitable position in the near future. Within this week, a representative from Human Resources Department will contact you for a meeting. During this meeting, you will discuss further employment opportunities and learn about your separation benefits. Also, an outplacement firm will provide you counseling and assistance...
Words: 310 - Pages: 2
...Robin Roberts: Journey Through Breast Cancer “Make your mess your message,” (Roberts 51). She publicly told the world and brought attention to the disease. Because of her status, people listened to her. Robin Roberts, a Good Morning America news anchor (np), was diagnosed with breast cancer (Price) and still worked as hard as she could so others like her had someone to look up to (Roberts 52). Breast cancer is a disease in which the cells in the breast tissue grow abnormally and out of control (Parks 6). Normal cells grow and divide in control and die when it is time. In a cancerous cell, the deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) has been change in some way. This is called a genetic mutation. Once the cancerous cells have started growing, their numbers increase uncontrollably. Then the cancer cells travel to secluded areas of the body in a process called metastasis. Breast cancer can start in any part of the breast. There are fifteen to twenty sections called lobes in the breast that are arranged like the petals on a daisy. In each lobe, there are lobules that end with small milk-producing bulbs. All of the parts are then linked together by small tubing called ducts that lead to the nipple. Fat fills the space between the lobules and the ducts (10). The symptoms and warning signs of having breast cancer include, but are not limited to, a lump in the breast, changes in the size or shape of the breast, the leakage of blood-colored fluid, or the peeling, scaling, or flaking of the...
Words: 475 - Pages: 2
... One in every eight women in the United States has a chance of developing invasive cancer according to Breastcancer.org, a nonprofit organization dedicated to providing information about breast cancer to those who are affected. With a population of 157 million women in the United States, that means around 20 million women have a chance of getting affected by breast cancer. However due to technology and medical advances, there has been a decline in mortality rates due to breast cancer. Since 1989, there has been an increase in breast cancer survivorship (“U.S. Breast Cancer Statistics”). Most people don’t consider that these women have to face challenges and hardships after cancer. Due to the traumatic experience, many women are left with psychosocial issues, defined by Dr. James Khatcheressian, a medical oncologist, as any issue that is outside the patient’s immediate medical concern, including but not limited to, financial issues, family environment, other medical issues, etc. ("Psychosocial Issues of Breast Cancer Survivorship"). Dr. Patricia A. Ganz, an oncologist graduate from UCLA, reveals the most common psychosocial concerns women have about life after breast cancer are fear or recurrence, body image disruption, sexual dysfunction, treatment-related anxieties, intrusive thoughts about illness/persistent anxiety, marital communication, feelings of vulnerability, existential concerns (Ganz). Increased depression, anxiety, and fear are normal for cancer patients. The American...
Words: 1242 - Pages: 5
...According to recent cancer research in the United Kingdom there are more than 200 different types of cancer. The Wellness: Concepts and Applications 8th edition text book defines cancer as a disease caused by uncontrolled division of abnormal cells in an area of the body. The National Cancer Institute states that the lifetime risk of men and women developing cancer is approximately 40.4%. In fact 2011 data records show that there are an estimated 13 million people living with a type of cancer in the United States alone. In addition The Thomara Latimer Cancer Foundation estimates about 600,000 of that 13 million to die, averaging about 1,500 people a day. Cancer is a worldwide epidemic that is killing thousands of lives daily. On the other hand there are over a thousand facilities working on cures to reduce cancer mortality rates. The most common cancers include: Prostate cancer, Breast cancer, Lung cancer, Colon cancer, Leukemia, Basal cell cancer, Melanoma and Lymphoma. Prostate cancer is the cancer of the male prostate. Furthermore the male prostate is a small walnut shaped gland that sits below the urinary bladder and in front of the rectum. The size of the prostate gland changes as you mature. In particular the prostate gland grows the most rapidly during puberty due to the rise in male hormones called androgens. Androgen is a male hormone produced when having sexual intercourse, such as testosterone. The prostate's job is to make some of the fluid that protects and nourishes...
Words: 894 - Pages: 4
...1- http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/37136.php 2- http://www.breastcancercare.org.uk/breast-cancer-information/about-breast-cancer/breast-cancer-facts 3- http://www.cancerresearchuk.org/cancer-help/type/breast-cancer/about/screening/mammograms-in-breast-screening 4- http://www.nhs.uk/Conditions/Cancer-of-the-breast-female/Pages/Treatment.aspx 5- http://www.nhs.uk/breast-cancer/pages/symptoms.aspx 6- http://images.google.co.uk/search?num=10&hl=en&site=&tbm=isch&source=hp&biw=1366&bih=667&q=graph+showing+how+many+people+develop+breast+cancer+a+year+in+the+uk&oq=graph+showing+how+many+people+develop+breast+cancer+a+year+in+the+uk&gs_l=img.3...1155.19497.0.19674.88.12.10.66.75.0.350.1425.7j4j0j1.12.0...0.0...1ac.1.cDLE3QjXk7Y#imgrc=AedFsVGLmQKN3M%3A%3Bkl2QeQqCa-9iSM%3Bhttp%253A%252F%252Fwww.cancerresearchuk.org%252Fprod_consump%252Fgroups%252Fcr_common%252F%2540nre%252F%2540sta%252Fdocuments%252Fimage%252Fcases_crude_f_breast_png.png%3Bhttp%253A%252F%252Fwww.cancerresearchuk.org%252Fcancer-info%252Fcancerstats%252Ftypes%252Fbreast%252Fincidence%252Fuk-breast-cancer-incidence-statistics%3B650%3B440 – picture 7- http://www.macmillan.org.uk/Cancerinformation/Cancertypes/Breast/Treatingbreastcancer/Radiotherapy.aspx 8- http://www.royalmarsden.nhs.uk/cancer-information/treatment/pages/radiotherapy.aspx 9- http://www.nhs.uk/Conditions/Radiotherapy/Pages/Side-effects.aspx 10- http://www.naturalnews.com/breast_cancer...
Words: 364 - Pages: 2
...Breast Cancer Breast Cancer is a cancer that forms in tissues of the breast, usually the ducts (tubes that carry milk to the nipple) and lobules (glands that make milk). It occurs in both men and women, although male breast cancer is rare. Anyone women could be at risk for breast cancer but, there are factors that make some women more susceptible to breast cancer than others. A risk factor is anything that affects your chances of getting a particular disease. Some can be controlled and some can’t. The ones you can control are genetics or family history, and environmental exposures or behaviors that might have happened in the past. The current and future behaviors can be controlled like exercise and a good diet. You also need to watch other exposures like tobacco use and high alcohol use because these are all things that could cause breast cancer. There are things you can do to reduce the risk of breast cancer and they are listed below: • Limit alcohol-The more alcohol you drink the greater the risk of getting breast cancer. • Control your weight-Being overweight increases your chances for breast cancer. • Plenty of exercise-keeping yourself active will help maintain weight and that will make your risk lower. • Breast feeding • Discontinue hormone therapy-Long term hormone therapy can cause you to be higher risk for breast cancer. • Avoid exposure to environmental pollutions These listed above is what needs to be avoided to make your risk at getting breast cancer lower...
Words: 348 - Pages: 2