Thoracentesis Principles

Course overview

Thoracentesis is an invasive procedure that requires knowledge from multiple healthcare professionals. A thorough understanding of the physiological and procedural principles surrounding thoracentesis allows proper patient management throughout all stages of the procedure. This results in improved patient outcomes and satisfaction. This course will explore the lung anatomy, pathophysiology, and conditions requiring thoracentesis. In addition, the course will discuss key healthcare team interventions and potential thoracentesis complications. The goal of this course is to educate providers and nurses in the acute care setting on basic thoracentesis principles.