Pleurisy

WHAT YOU SHOULD KNOW:

• The pleura (PLOOR-ah) are thin layers of tissue that form a two-layered lining around the lungs. One layer of the pleura rests directly on the lungs. The other layer rests on the chest wall. Between these layers, there is a small amount of pleural (PLOO-ral) fluid. This fluid helps your lungs move easily as you breathe.
  
  
• Pleurisy (PLOOR-i-see) is when the lining of the lungs becomes inflamed (irritated and swollen). This causes the two layers of pleura to rub together when the lungs move during breathing. Sometimes extra fluid collects in the space between the pleural layers. When there is too much fluid between the layers that line the lungs, it is called pleural effusion (e-FU-zhun). Pleurisy can happen with or without pleural effusion. If you have pleurisy, you may need medicines to decrease pain and inflammation, or to treat an infection (in-FECK-shun).

CARE AGREEMENT:

You have the right to help plan your care. Learn about your health condition and how it may be treated. Discuss treatment options with your caregivers to decide what care you want to receive. You always have the right to refuse treatment.

RISKS:

Pleurisy usually gets better without causing any long-term problems. Pleurisy may cause or worsen a lung infection, such as pneumonia. You may get too much fluid in your pleural space (pleural effusion). This fluid may get infected or cause trouble with breathing. Sometimes pleurisy causes scarring (permanent damage) of the tissues as it heals. Scarring that causes trouble with the movement of the lungs is called adhesions (ad-HEE-zhuns). Rarely, adhesions can cause permanent (life-long) trouble breathing.

WHILE YOU ARE HERE:

Informed consent:

A consent form is a legal document that explains the tests, treatments, or procedures that you may need. Informed consent means you understand what will be done and can make decisions about what you want. You give your permission when you sign the consent form. You can have someone sign this form for you if you are not able to sign it. You have the right to understand your medical care in words you know. Before you sign the consent form, understand the risks and benefits of what will be done. Make sure all your questions are answered.

Call button:

You may use the call button when you need your caregiver. Pain, trouble breathing, or wanting to get out of bed are good reasons to call. The call button should always be close enough for you to reach it.

Rest:

Keep the head of your bed raised to help you breathe easier. You can also raise your head and shoulders up on pillows or rest in a reclining chair. If you feel short of breath, let caregivers know right away.

Tests:

Tests help caregivers find out what is causing your illness and how your body is handling it. Other tests are used to help caregivers plan your treatment. The tests you need depend on what may be causing your pleurisy and other health problems you may have. You may need one or more of the following tests:

• Blood tests: You may need blood taken to give caregivers information about how your body is working. The blood may be taken from your hand, arm, or IV.
  
  
• Chest x-ray: This is a picture of your lungs and heart. Caregivers use it to see how your lungs and heart are doing. Caregivers may use the x-ray to look for signs of infection like pneumonia, or to look for collapsed lungs. Chest x-rays may show tumors, broken ribs, or fluid around the heart and lungs.
  
  
• CT scan:
  
  
  • This is also called a CAT scan. A special x-ray machine uses a computer to take pictures of the inside of your body. It may be used to look at bones, muscles, organs (such as your lungs), and blood vessels.
    
    
  • You may be given dye before the pictures are taken. The dye is usually given in your IV. The dye may help your caregiver see the pictures better. People who are allergic to shellfish (lobster, crab, or shrimp) may be allergic to some dyes. Tell the caregiver if you are allergic to shellfish, or have other allergies or medical conditions.
  
  
• Heart monitor: This is also called an ECG or EKG. Sticky pads placed on your skin record your heart's electrical activity.
  
  
• Pulse oximeter: A pulse oximeter is a device that measures the amount of oxygen in your blood. A cord with a clip or sticky strip is placed on your finger, ear, or toe. The other end of the cord is hooked to a machine. Never turn the pulse oximeter or alarm off. An alarm will sound if your oxygen level is low or cannot be read.
  
  
• Sputum sample: Sputum (mucus from your lungs) is collected in a cup when you cough. The sample is sent to a lab to be tested for the germ that is causing your illness. It can also help your caregiver choose the best medicine to treat the infection.
  
  
• Heart monitor: This test is also called an EKG or ECG. Sticky pads are placed on your skin to record your heart's electrical activity. An EKG gives information about how your heart is working. Lie as still as possible during the test.
  
  
• Ultrasound: An ultrasound is a simple test that looks inside of your body. Sound waves are used to show pictures of your organs and tissues on a TV-like screen.
  
  
• Vital signs: Caregivers will check your blood pressure, heart rate, breathing rate, and temperature. They will also ask about your pain. These vital signs give caregivers information about your current health.

Medicines:

You may be given the following medicines:

• Antibiotics: This medicine is given to help treat or prevent an infection caused by bacteria.
  
  
• Cough medicine: You may need a cough medicine to help loosen phlegm in your lungs and make it easier to cough up. This type of cough medicine is called an expectorant. Drink plenty of water if you are taking an expectorant type of cough medicine. Another type of cough medicine that decreases your urge to cough is called a cough suppressant. A cough suppressant may help if a dry cough is causing you to have pain or trouble resting.
  
  
• Pain medicine: Caregivers may give you medicine to take away or decrease your pain.
  
  
  • Do not wait until the pain is severe to ask for your medicine. Tell caregivers if your pain does not decrease. The medicine may not work as well at controlling your pain if you wait too long to take it.
    
    
  • Pain medicine can make you dizzy or sleepy. Prevent falls by calling a caregiver when you want to get out of bed or if you need help.
  
  
• Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory medicine: This family of medicine is also called "NSAIDs". Nonsteroidal (non-ster-OID-al) anti-inflammatory (an-tee-in-FLAM-ah-tohr-ee) medicine may help decrease pain and inflammation (swelling). It is also used to decrease a high body temperature (fever). This medicine can cause stomach bleeding or kidney problems in certain people.
  
  
• Steroids: Steroid (STER-oid) medicine may be given to decrease the inflammation (in-flah-MAY-shun) of pleurisy.

Treatment options:

Your treatment may change if your health problem is not being controlled. This is often decided after you have tests. You may have some of the following treatments alone or together.

• Deep breathing and coughing: Deep breathing helps to open the air passages in your lungs. Coughing helps to bring up sputum (mucus) from your lungs. You can deep breathe and cough on your own, or with the help of an incentive spirometer.
  
  
  • Take a deep breath and hold the breath as long as you can. Then push the air out of your lungs with a deep, strong cough. Put any sputum that you have coughed up into a tissue and throw it away. Take 10 deep breaths in a row every hour that you are awake, even during the night. Remember to follow each deep breath with a cough.
    
    
  • An incentive spirometer can help you take deeper breaths. Put the plastic piece into your mouth and take a steady, deep breath in. Hold your breath as long as you can, and then exhale (breathe out). Use your incentive spirometer 10 times every hour that you are awake, even during the night.
  
  
• IV: An IV (intravenous) is a small tube placed in your vein that is used to give you medicine or liquids.
  
  
• Oxygen: You may need extra oxygen if your blood oxygen level is lower than it should be. You may get oxygen through a mask placed over your nose and mouth or through small tubes placed in your nostrils. Ask your caregiver before you take off the mask or oxygen tubing.
  
  
• Thoracentesis: A thoracentesis is a treatment to take fluid or air out of your chest. You are given numbing medicine before a needle is put between two of your ribs. The needle is then put through the chest wall. The air or fluid is sucked out through the needle. You may breathe easier when the fluid or air is removed.

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The above information is an educational aid only. It is not intended as medical advice for individual conditions or treatments. Talk to your doctor, nurse or pharmacist before following any medical regimen to see if it is safe and effective for you.

Learn more about Pleurisy (Inpatient Care)