Serous Fluids and Serous Membranes

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The parietal membrane lines the ______ wall, while the visceral membrane covers the organ within the cavity.

cavity

Serous fluid between the two membranes provides ______ as the surfaces move against each other.

lubrication

Transudate effusions occur during systemic disorders that disrupt fluid filtration, fluid reabsorption, or both, e.g. congestive heart ______.

failure

Exudate effusions occur during inflammatory processes that result in damage to blood vessel walls, damage in body cavity membrane, or decreased reabsorption by the ______ system.

lymphatic Signup and view all the answers

Serous fluids are collected by needle aspiration from the respective ______.

cavities Signup and view all the answers

An anti-coagulated specimen is needed for ______ counts and a sterile tube for culture.

cell Signup and view all the answers

Pleural effusion is the accumulation of excess fluid in the ______ cavity, when the rate of production exceeds the rate of reabsorption.

pleural Signup and view all the answers

A thoracentesis can be: 1. Diagnostic: to determine the cause of the ______.

fluid Signup and view all the answers

A needle is inserted through the back of the chest wall in the sixth, seventh, or eighth intercostal space on the ______ line, into the pleural space.

midaxillary Signup and view all the answers

Physical examination of pleural fluid: Characteristic ______ Significance.

Bloody Signup and view all the answers

What is the principal function of pleural fluid?

To provide a frictionless surface between the two pleurae in response to changes in lung volume with respiration. Signup and view all the answers

What are the three etiologies of pleural effusion?

Increased capillary pressure (cardiac failure), increased vascular permeability (infections, inflammation), impaired lymphatic drainage of pleural space (tumor). Signup and view all the answers

What are the five evaluations that can be performed on pleural fluid obtained through thoracentesis?

Physical examination, biochemical examination (protein, lactate dehydrogenase, albumin, amylase, pH, and glucose), microbiological examination (Gram stain and culture), cell and differential count, cytological examination. Signup and view all the answers

What are the potential significances of pleural fluid with a black appearance?

Aspergillus involvement of pleura. Signup and view all the answers

What is the purpose of a diagnostic thoracentesis?

To determine the cause of the fluid. Signup and view all the answers

What are the two kinds of serous fluid effusions and what are the main causes of each?

Transudate effusions occur during systemic disorders that disrupt fluid filtration, fluid reabsorption, or both, e.g. congestive heart failure. Exudate effusions occur during inflammatory processes that result in damage to blood vessel walls, damage in body cavity membrane, or decreased reabsorption by the lymphatic system. Signup and view all the answers

What is the purpose of serous fluid between the two membranes in the serous cavities?

The serous fluid provides lubrication as the surfaces move against each other. Signup and view all the answers

What are the three procedures referred to as when serous fluids are collected by needle aspiration from the respective cavities?

<ol> <li>Thoracentesis (pleural). 2. Pericardiocentesis (pericardial). 3. Paracentesis (peritoneal).</li> </ol> Signup and view all the answers

What are the characteristics of transudate and exudate effusions?

Transudate is fluid pushed through the capillary due to high pressure within the capillary. Exudate effusions occur during inflammatory processes that result in damage to blood vessel walls, damage in body cavity membrane, or decreased reabsorption by the lymphatic system. Signup and view all the answers

What are the two membranes that line the pleural, pericardial, and peritoneal cavities?

The parietal membrane lines the cavity wall, while the visceral membrane covers the organ within the cavity. Signup and view all the answers