PLEURAL EFFUSION

Inspection

(+/-) Cyanosis, indicating severe hypoxia

(+/-) tripod position

(+/-) Tachypnea based on size of effusion

(+/-) Accessory muscle use depending on severity of pleural effusion

Chest expansion decreased on affected side

Tracheal deviation away from affected side

Decreased tactile fremitus

Dullness to percussion

Pulse: tachycardia: HR>100

Respiratory rate: Tachypnea, >20 BPM

Decreased Oxygen saturation: <95%

Temperature: Pyrexia >100.4°F

BP: (+/-) elevated due to pain, can also be decreased due to underlying cause

Egophony: "E" sounds more like an "A"

Whispered pectoriloquy: Whispered "1,2,3" is intelligible

Bronchophony shows abnormal vocal resonance

Decreased breath sounds over the effusion

Pleural friction/rubbing

Bronchial breath sounds heard over area of effusion