About this topic
Your lungs are covered with thin layers of tissue. This is the pleura. Normally, there is a small amount of fluid between the layers. If there is too much fluid in this space it is a pleural effusion. It may be caused by heart failure or a lung injury. Other times, it is caused by a lung infection like pneumonia or the flu. The extra fluid makes it harder to breathe. The doctors will try to get rid of the extra fluid and treat what is causing it. ‚
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What care is needed at home?
- Ask your doctor what you need to do when you go home. Make sure you ask questions if you do not understand what the doctor says. This way you will know what you need to do.
- You may need oxygen therapy at home. If you do, talk to your doctor about how much oxygen to use and how the equipment works.
- You may have had a chest tube to drain extra fluid and air from around the outside of your lung. Talk to your doctor about how to care for your tube site. Ask your doctor about:
- When you should change your bandages
- How to care for your cut sites
- When you may take a bath or shower
- If you should sleep on the side where the chest tube was put in. This will help drain more fluid from the pleura.
- When you may go back to your normal activities like work or driving
- Be sure to wash your hands before touching your wound or dressing.
- Sleep with your head raised. Use 2 pillows under your head and shoulders.
What follow-up care is needed?
- Your doctor may ask you to make visits to the office to check on your progress. Be sure to keep these visits.
- Your doctor may suggest that you go to a lung rehab center to help you get your strength back.
What drugs may be needed?
The doctor may order drugs to: ‚
- Fight an infection
- Get rid of extra fluid in the body
- Help with pain
- Control coughing
Will physical activity be limited?
You may have to limit your activity. Talk to your doctor about the right amount of activity for you. ‚
What problems could happen?
- Air on the outside of the lungs
- Trouble breathing
- Bleeding
- Infection
What can be done to prevent this health problem?
Some other problem may be causing this condition. Treat it right away. ‚
When do I need to call the doctor?
- Signs of infection. These include a fever of 100.4 ‚ °F (38 ‚ °C) or higher, chills, cough, more sputum or change in color of sputum.
- Blood seen in any sputum you may cough up
- Trouble breathing
- Chest pain
- Bluish color of the skin, lips, and nail beds
- Health problem is not better or you are feeling worse
Teach Back: Helping You Understand
The Teach Back Method helps you understand the information we are giving you. The idea is simple. After talking with the staff, tell them in your own words what you were just told. This helps to make sure the staff has covered each thing clearly. It also helps to explain things that may have been a bit confusing. Before going home, make sure you are able to do these: ‚
- I can tell you about my condition.
- I can tell you what may help ease my breathing.
- I can tell you how to care for my chest tube site, if I have one.
- I can tell you what I will do if I have trouble breathing; chest pain; or a bluish color of the skin, lips, or nailbeds.
Where can I learn more?
American Thoracic Society ‚
http://patients.thoracic.org/information-series/en/resources/chest-tube-thoracostomy.pdf ‚
Consumer Information Use and Disclaimer
This information is not specific medical advice and does not replace information you receive from your health care provider. This is only a brief summary of general information. It does NOT include all information about conditions, illnesses, injuries, tests, procedures, treatments, therapies, discharge instructions or life-style choices that may apply to you. You must talk with your health care provider for complete information about your health and treatment options. This information should not be used to decide whether or not to accept your health care providers advice, instructions or recommendations. Only your health care provider has the knowledge and training to provide advice that is right for you. ‚
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Copyright ‚ © 2015 Clinical Drug Information, LLC and Lexi-Comp, Inc. ‚