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Warning-sign checks

Open pleural biopsy: when to get help

Go through these in order and stop at the first one that applies. If you are reading this for someone else, answer for them.

  1. 1

    Is any of this happening now?

    Call 911

    Call emergency services for severe difficulty breathing, fainting, new confusion, heavy bleeding, coughing up more than a small streak of blood, or sudden severe chest pain.

    Other emergency signs, for anyone
    • Someone who is struggling to breathe, gasping, choking, or cannot get words out
    • Someone who has chest pain, tightness or pressure lasting more than a few minutes
    • Someone who has sudden weakness or drooping on one side of the face or body, slurred speech, or sudden confusion
    • Someone who is unconscious, or cannot be woken
    • Someone who is bleeding heavily and it will not stop with firm pressure
    • Someone who has had a seizure that will not stop, or does not wake up afterwards
    • Someone who has lips or skin that look pale, blue, grey or blotchy
    • Someone who you believe has taken an overdose or swallowed something poisonous
  2. 2

    Is any of this happening?

    Be seen today

    Contact your surgical team promptly if you develop increasing redness, warmth, swelling, discharge, or opening of the wound.

    Also seek advice for a fever, worsening breathlessness, pain not controlled by the prescribed plan, or repeated vomiting that prevents drinking.

    Contact the team urgently if the drain comes out, disconnects, stops working, or suddenly collects much more blood or fluid.

    Do not wait for a routine follow-up appointment for these symptoms.

The article also says

If you go home with a drain, follow the facility’s instructions.

Every sign above is quoted from the sofidex article on Open pleural biopsy. If you are not sure, err upward — it is always reasonable to be checked.