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
Is any of this happening now?
Call 911
Seek emergency medical help for severe breathing difficulty, sudden or intense chest pain, coughing up more than a small streak of blood, fainting, confusion, or blue or grey lips.
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
Is any of this happening?
Be seen today
Contact your healthcare team promptly if you develop increasing redness, swelling, warmth, drainage, or bleeding at the puncture site.
Also call for fever, worsening cough, increasing pain, or shortness of breath that is new or getting worse.
3
Does any of this apply?
Book an appointment
These are not routine recovery symptoms.
For routine questions about the dressing, activity, test results, or follow-up appointments, use the contact details provided at discharge.
Every sign above is quoted from the sofidex article on Thoracentesis. If you are not sure, err upward — it is always reasonable to be checked.