Essays on Effusions

Introduction

Pulmonary edema (PE) is characterized by the accumulation of fluid in the parenchyma and air spaces of the lungs. Most often PE is associated with respiratory failure and impaired gas exchange. Globally, PE is known to be characterized by two major factors, the first is associated with the injury of the lung parenchyma which is termed as non-cardiogenic pulmonary edema. The second is associated with the failure of the left ventricle of the heart to release blood from the pulmonary circulation within the system and is termed as cardiogenic pulmonary edema (Glaus, Schellenberg , and Lang. 2010). The major cause ...

Abstract

Pericarditis is an inflammatory disorder of the serous pericardium. The condition can caused by prolonged drug abuse, recent heart attack, chest trauma, heart damage, severe kidney failure, alcohol abuse, and autoimmune disorders. This paper presents an analysis of pericarditis that result from prolonged drug abuse although some generalities about the condition also contribute to the search for solutions to the condition. The paper explores the clinical manifestation of the condition as chest pains and pericardial rub or noise. A caregiver can help the patient to sit in an upright posture or give analgesics to ease the pains as methods ...

Cancer is one of the top leading causes of death worldwide. According to the World Health Organization, the number of people who died from cancer globally reached 8.2 million in 2012 (IARC, 2014). It is considered an imminent “human disaster” because in the next two decades, deaths from cancer can reach as high as 18 million a year with the number of cases reaching 22 million (Hume & Christensen, 2014). This disease affects not only the patients but also their families. Studies have documented the physical and psychological effects of cancer treatments. Thus, it is important to determine the side effects ...

RTE 1503

Abstract: Hypertensive pulmonary edema is a frightening disease that occurs occasionally with acute hypertension. This case study analyzes a middle aged woman and her visit to the hospital emergency department when she collapses and has difficulty breathing. It is shown by the x-ray technician that she is suffering from hypertensive pulmonary edema and after proper medical management she quickly gets better. It is important to distinguish this disease from cardiogenic pulmonary edema, which is chronic in nature and has a very different clinical picture. A 47-year-old woman with a history of hypertension recovering from a recent bout of the flu suddenly fell ...

Use of pleural catheters in the management of MPE

Introduction My case study is based on a 74 year old man who came into the hospital for elective admission for the insertion of a pleurex chest drain after several recurrent episodes of malignant pleural effusions. The patient was admitted in a respiratory ward by a nurse with increased shortness of breath and was found to have right pleural effusion after a chest X-ray. A pleurex chest drain was inserted and 2000mls of pleural fluid was drained. Although a number of treatment modalities are available, pleurex chest drainage was the modality being used to manage this specific patient, as such it is necessary to ...