Question

Robin was admitted to the hospital due to an accumulation of fluid in his lungs. To remove the fluid, Dr. Thomas passed an aspiration needle over the top of a rib and punctured through the chest, entering the pleural cavity, and then directed the needle into the fluid area of the lung, withdrawing the fluid. This procedure is known as a ____.

a) Thoracentesis
b) Pleurocentesis
c) Pleurodesis
d) Thoracotomy

Answer 1

Thoracentesis, also called a pleural tap, is a medical procedure used to remove excess fluid from the pleural cavity in order to improve lung function and relieve symptoms.

Step-by-step explanation:

The procedure described in the question is known as thoracentesis, also called a pleural tap. It is a medical procedure used to remove excess fluid from the pleural cavity, the space surrounding the lungs. In this procedure, a needle is inserted through the chest into the pleural cavity, and the fluid is withdrawn using a syringe or vacuum container.

It is commonly used for diagnostic purposes, to determine the cause of fluid accumulation, or for therapeutic purposes, to relieve symptoms and improve lung function.