How do you prepare for a thoracentesis?

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What is thoracentesis?

Thoracentesis (say "thor-uh-sen-TEE-sis") is a procedure to remove fluid from the space between the lungs and the chest wall. This is called the pleural space. The procedure may also be called a "chest tap."

It is normal to have a small amount of fluid in the pleural space. But too much fluid can build up because of problems such as infection, heart failure, and lung cancer. The procedure may be done to help with shortness of breath and pain caused by the fluid buildup. Or you may have it done so the doctor can test the fluid to find the cause of the buildup.

Your doctor will put a long, thin needle or a thin plastic tube, called a catheter, between two of your ribs. The doctor will use the needle or catheter to take fluid out.

You may get medicine before the procedure. This helps with pain and helps you relax. The procedure will take about 15 minutes. Most people go home shortly after. You can go back to work or your normal activities as soon as you feel up to it.

If the doctor sends the fluid to a lab for testing, it usually takes a few hours to get the results. Some of the test results may take a few days. The doctor or nurse will discuss the results with you.

How do you prepare for the procedure?

Procedures can be stressful. This information will help you understand what you can expect. And it will help you safely prepare for your procedure.

Preparing for the procedure

• Be sure you have someone to take you home. Anesthesia and pain medicine will make it unsafe for you to drive or get home on your own.

• Understand exactly what procedure is planned, along with the risks, benefits, and other options.

• Tell your doctor ALL the medicines, vitamins, supplements, and herbal remedies you take. Some may increase the risk of problems during your procedure. Your doctor will tell you if you should stop taking any of them before the procedure and how soon to do it.

• If you take a medicine that prevents blood clots, your doctor may tell you to stop taking it before your procedure. Or your doctor may tell you to keep taking it. (These medicines include aspirin and other blood thinners.) Make sure that you understand exactly what your doctor wants you to do.

• Make sure your doctor and the hospital have a copy of your advance directive. If you don't have one, you may want to prepare one. It lets others know your health care wishes. It's a good thing to have before any type of surgery or procedure.

What happens on the day of the procedure?

• Take off all jewelry and piercings.

At the hospital, surgery center, or doctor's office

• Bring a picture ID.

• The doctor may take a chest X-ray or use ultrasound or CT scan pictures to help find the exact spot where fluid has built up.

• The doctor will give you a shot of numbing medicine in the skin where the needle or catheter will go.

• The procedure will take about 15 minutes.

• The doctor may take a chest X-ray after the procedure.

When should you call your doctor?

• You have questions or concerns.
• You don't understand how to prepare for your procedure.
• You become ill before the procedure (such as fever, flu, or a cold).
• You need to reschedule or have changed your mind about having the procedure.

Where can you learn more?

Go to https://www.healthwise.net/patientEd

Enter U836 in the search box to learn more about "Thoracentesis: Before Your Procedure".

The Health Encyclopedia contains general health information. Not all treatments or services described are covered benefits for Kaiser Permanente members or offered as services by Kaiser Permanente. For a list of covered benefits, please refer to your Evidence of Coverage or Summary Plan Description. For recommended treatments, please consult with your health care provider.

Thoracentesis, also known as pleural fluid analysis, is a procedure in which a needle is inserted through the back of the chest wall into the pleural space (a space that exists between the two lungs and the anterior chest wall) to remove fluid or air. Pleural fluid analysis is the microscopic and chemical lab analysis of the fluid obtained during thoracentesis.

Thoracentesis may be performed for diagnostic and/or therapeutic reasons. The diagnostic use of a thoracentesis involves pleural fluid analysis to distinguish between exudate, which may result from inflammatory or malignant conditions, and transudate, which may result from failure of organ systems that affect fluid balance in the body. This analysis aids in determining the cause of the abnormality.

Procedure

1. Position patient in the sitting position with arms and head resting supported on a bedside adjustable table.
If unable to sit, the patient should lie at the edge of the bed on the affected side with the ipsilateral (same side) arm over the head and the midaxillary line accessible for the insertion of the needle. Elevating the head of the bed to 30 degrees may help.

2. The usual site for insertion of the thoracentesis needle is the posterolateral aspect of the back over the diaphragm, but under the fluid level.
Confirm site by counting the ribs based on chest x-ray and percussing out the fluid level. Mark the top of the dullness by washable ink mark or indenting the skin.

3. Select the thoracentesis site in an interspace below the point of dullness to percussion in the mid posterior line (posterior insertion) or mid axillary line (lateral insertion).

4. Sterile technique should be used including gloves, betadine prep and drapes.

5. Anesthetize the skin over the insertion site with 1% lidocaine using the 5 cc syringe with 25 or 27-gauge needle. Next anesthetize the superior surface of the rib and the pleura. The needle is inserted over the top of rib (superior margin) to avoid the intercostals nerves and blood vessels that run on the underside of the rib (the intercostals nerve and the blood supply are located near the inferior margin). As the needle is inserted, aspirate back on the syringe to check for pleural fluid. Once fluid returns, note the depth of the needle and mark it with a hemostat. This gives an approximate depth for insertion of the angiocatheter or thoracentesis needle. Remove the anesthetizing needle.

6.Use a hemostat to measure the same depth on the thoracentesis needle or angiocath as the first needle. While exerting steady pressure on the patient’s back with the nondominant hand, use a hemostat to measure the 15- to 18- gauge thoracentesis needle to the same depth as the first needle. While exerting steady pressure on the patient’s back with the nondominant hand, insert the needle through the anesthetized area with the thoracentesis needle. Advance the needle until it encounters the superior aspect of the rib. Continue advancing the needle over the top of the rib and through the pleura, maintaining constant gentle suction on the syringe. Make sure you march over the top of the rib to avoid the neurovascular bundle that runs below the rib.

7.Attach the three way stopcock and tubing, and aspirate the amount needed. Turn the stopcock and evacuate the fluid through the tubing.

8.Remove the necessary amount of pleural fluid (usually 100 mL for diagnostic studies), but generally not remove more than 1500 mL of fluid at any one time because of increased risk of pleural edema or hypotension. A pneumothorax from needle laceration of the visceral pleura is more likely to occur if an effusion is completely drained.

9. When draining of fluid is completed, have the patient take a deep breath and hum, and gently remove the needle. This maneuver increases intrathoracic pressure and decreases the chance of pneumothorax. Cover the insertion site with a sterile occlusive dressing.

Thoracentesis Nursing Considerations

Before the Procedure

• Check the doctor’s order.
• Identify the client.
• Asked patient to sign a consent form that gives your permission to do the test. Read the form carefully and ask questions if something is not clear.
• Explain and emphasize the importance of the procedure.
• Inform that she will be experiencing mild pain on the site where the needle was pricked
• Inform the client that the procedure takes only few minutes, depending primarily on the time it takes for fluid to drain from the pleural cavity.
• Inform the client not to cough while the needle is inserted in order to avoid puncturing the lung
• Explain when and where the procedure will occur and who will be present.
• Explain the procedure to the patient and SO, reinforcing what the physician has previously explained to the patient/SO

• The patient may have a diagnostic procedure, such as a chest x-ray, chest fluoroscopy, ultrasound, or CT scan, performed prior to the procedure to assist the physician in identifying the specific location of the fluid in the chest that is to be removed.
• The patient may receive a sedative prior to the procedure to help the patient relax.
• Asked the patient to remove any clothing, jewelry, or other objects that may interfere with the procedure.
• The area around the puncture site may be shaved.
• Vital signs (heart rate, blood pressure, breathing rate, and oxygen level) are to be monitored before the procedure.

During the Procedure

• Support the client verbally and describe the steps of the procedure as needed.
• Vital signs (heart rate, blood pressure, breathing rate, and oxygen level) are to be monitored during the procedure.
• The patient may receive supplemental oxygen as needed, through a face mask or nasal cannula (tube).
• Observe the client for signs of distress, such as dyspnea, pallor, and coughing
• Place the patient in a sitting position with arms raised and resting on an overbed table. This position aids in spreading out the spaces between the ribs for needle insertion. If the patient is unable to sit, the patient may be placed in a side-lying position on the edge of the bed on unaffected side.
• The skin at the puncture site will be cleansed with an antiseptic solution.
• The patient will receive a local anesthetic at the site where the thoracentesis is to be performed.
• Don’t remove more than 1000 ml of fluid from the pleural cavity within first 30 minutes.
• Place a small sterile dressing over the site of the puncture.

After the Procedure

• Observe changes in the client’s cough, sputum, respiratory depth, and breath sounds, and note complaints of chest pain.
• Position the client appropriately
• Some agency protocols recommend that the  client lie on the unaffected side with the head of the bed elevated 30 degrees for at least 30 minutes because this position facilitates expansion of the affected lung and eases respirations
• Position the patient in a side-lying position with the unaffected side down for an hour or longer.
• Include date and time performed; the primary care provider’s name; the amount, color, and clarity of fluid drained; and nursing assessments and interventions provided.
• Transport the specimens to the laboratory.
• The dressing over the puncture site will be monitored for bleeding or other drainage.
• Monitor patient’s blood pressure, pulse, and breathing until are stable.
• Document all relevant information.

Possible Nursing Diagnoses:

Here are some possible nursing diagnoses for a patient post-thoracentesis (you may also check on the nursing care plans for Pleural Effusion)

• Ineffective Breathing Pattern RT Decreased Lung Volume Capacity
• Impaired Gas Exchange RT Alveolar Capillary Membrane Changes
• Impaired Skin Integrity RT Mechanical Factors Secondary to Thoracentesis and CTT Insertion
• Acute Pain rt surgical incision, chest tube sites, and immobility
• Impaired physical mobility
• Activity Intolerance

References:

• https://www.ucsfmedicalcenter.org/medstaffoffice/Standardized_Procedures/Thoracentesis.pdf
• https://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health/dci/images/thoracentesis.jpg

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