Getting to the heart of pleural effusions: a case study.
OBJECTIVE
To provide nurse practitioners (NPs) with an overview of the physiology, pathophysiology, clinical presentation, and comprehensive assessment, as well as the differential diagnosis process and initial management of patients with unilateral pleural effusions.


METHODS
A review of the scientific literature was performed on pleural effusions, using Pub Med, Medline, and CINAHL. The case study of a patient with a pleural effusion related to heart failure is used to integrate this knowledge into clinical practice.


CONCLUSIONS
Pleural effusions are common sequelae of numerous pathophysiological processes.


CONCLUSIONS
Knowledge of the underlying physiological and pathophysiological mechanisms enables the NP to obtain an accurate and comprehensive assessment, establishes a differential diagnosis, and provides the timely initial management necessary to optimize patient care outcomes.
St. Boniface General Hospital, Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada. smertin@sbgh.mb.ca
Susan
S
Mertin
Jo-Ann V
JA
Sawatzky
William L
WL
Diehl-Jones
D000368:Aged; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D006333:Heart Failure / Q000150:complications*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008487:Medical History Taking; D010808:Physical Examination; D010996:Pleural Effusion / Q000209:etiology* / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000628:therapy