question for nurses\nursing students

mugsy · #1 (**permalink**) Apr 19, 07

how serious is it when someone has part of their lung collapsed? my dads has.
the dad has some tumors - large and small within the lungs, so my theory is not so important as other parts are already getting pushed around\devoured by the cancer. also, he has had some blood clot troubles within the lungs - he coughed his first one up, scared us all and spent a few days in the hospital. right now they are doing what they can to remove some of the stress on his lungs through radiation, but could this be a large problem?
the lung doctor was all "well part of your lung has collapsed" in a very calm almost "you have allergies" kind of way.
is it the least of our worries?

and for those smug fnk'ers who would be all "go ask a doctor" i will\am in the process, these things are harder then they seem to deal with. and my dad doesnt always like telling me everything that is going on.

diva · #2 (**permalink**) Apr 19, 07

I work in cardiac surgery, and collapsed lungs (pneumothorax) are a pretty common post-op complication.

Sometimes you don't need to do anything about them, and other times you need insert a chest tube to absorb the air. So if it's small (only a small part of the lung has collapsed), it will basically go away on its own. Depends. Sounds like it's not a huge deal in your dad's case if they didn't feel the need to insert a chest tube.

=)

you can google pneumothorax for more information.

edit: his lung could have collapsed because of something called a pleural effusion, which is when there's a buildup of fluid on the lung that can cause it to partially or fully collapse. again, if it's small enough doctors will just leave your body to absorb the fluid. if it's a larger one, they'll insert a chest tube to drain the fluid.

you can google pleural effusions too.

**kiMMie** · #3 (**permalink**) Apr 19, 07

Check PM box :oh:

mugsy · #4 (**permalink**) Apr 20, 07

^ thanks ladies.

i know that the area that it collapsed was around a tumor - he found out by asking how large the tumor was and the doctor said that the area had collapsed and they couldnt tell.
my assumption was the the lung was under too much distress. but im gonna go a do some googlin'

thank again so much.

**kiMMie** · #5 (**permalink**) Apr 20, 07

When googling, make sure to include "oncology" to the search. That will define the search better.

Both pneumothorax and PE are common but for many different reasons.

NinjaBoy · #6 (**permalink**) Apr 21, 07

Nurses are fucking hot.

Courtney · #7 (**permalink**) Apr 21, 07

^I honestly just said this out loud at work...

"Oh my god what a fucking idiot"