Respiratory Pleural Effusion and Restrictive
Lung Disease
,A.B., a 68-year-old man, is admitted to your medical floor with a
diagnosis of pleural effusion. He complains of shortness of
breath; pain in his chest; weakness; and a dry, irritating cough.
His vital signs (VS) are 142/82, 118, respirations 38 and labored
and shallow, 102.1° F (38.9° C), and Spo2 85% on room air.
Chest x-ray examination reveals a large pleural effusion and
pulmonary infiltrates in the right lower lobe consistent with
pneumonia.
1.Given his diagnosis, are A.B.'s admission VS
expected? Explain
YES, because he is in pain which can cause significant
increase in heart rate and blood pressure.
Respirations are labored and shallow because of the
pain of inspiration. Also, his oxygen is low because
shallow breathing does not necessarily provide
adequate oxygenation. In addition, there can be
empyema (pus in the pleural space which usually
develops after pneumonia is an infection of the lung
tissue) with fever.
, How does the underlying pathophysiology
relate to A.B.'s presenting signs and
symptoms?
2. The underlying pathophysiology of a pleural
effusion gives rise to A.B’s symptoms because fluid in
the pleural cavity acts as a small-occupying mass that
causes decrease in lung expansion on the affected
side. The patient’s symptoms are shortness of breath
(SOB) and labored and shallow respirations at 38 bpm
due to fluid collection in the pleural cavity. The lungs
are trying to compensate from the lack of oxygen in
the alveoli from the fluid so the patient will breathe
faster, possibly increase in body temperature, have
weakness and be short of breath
Lung Disease
,A.B., a 68-year-old man, is admitted to your medical floor with a
diagnosis of pleural effusion. He complains of shortness of
breath; pain in his chest; weakness; and a dry, irritating cough.
His vital signs (VS) are 142/82, 118, respirations 38 and labored
and shallow, 102.1° F (38.9° C), and Spo2 85% on room air.
Chest x-ray examination reveals a large pleural effusion and
pulmonary infiltrates in the right lower lobe consistent with
pneumonia.
1.Given his diagnosis, are A.B.'s admission VS
expected? Explain
YES, because he is in pain which can cause significant
increase in heart rate and blood pressure.
Respirations are labored and shallow because of the
pain of inspiration. Also, his oxygen is low because
shallow breathing does not necessarily provide
adequate oxygenation. In addition, there can be
empyema (pus in the pleural space which usually
develops after pneumonia is an infection of the lung
tissue) with fever.
, How does the underlying pathophysiology
relate to A.B.'s presenting signs and
symptoms?
2. The underlying pathophysiology of a pleural
effusion gives rise to A.B’s symptoms because fluid in
the pleural cavity acts as a small-occupying mass that
causes decrease in lung expansion on the affected
side. The patient’s symptoms are shortness of breath
(SOB) and labored and shallow respirations at 38 bpm
due to fluid collection in the pleural cavity. The lungs
are trying to compensate from the lack of oxygen in
the alveoli from the fluid so the patient will breathe
faster, possibly increase in body temperature, have
weakness and be short of breath
