PLEURAL CATHETER REMOVAL OUTPATIENT DISCHARGE INSTRUCTIONS
1. Rest at home with moderate activity for the remainder of the day. You may experience lightheadedness, dizziness, or sleeping following the procedure.
2. Do not drive or operate machinery or power tools for the remainder of the day.
3. Do not return to work today.
4. Do not make any important decisions or sign important papers for 24 hours. You may be forgetful due to the medications administered.
5. Do not drink alcoholic beverages for 12 hours. Alcohol increases the effects of sedation. Otherwise you may resume your normal diet.
6. Avoid strenuous activities such as lifting or pulling for 48 hours.
7. You need to wash the removal site with antibacterial soap and water daily. Do not take a tub bath, submerge in a pool, or allow the sutures to become saturated.
8. Keep the removal site clean and dry and covered with a dressing until the sutures are removed. Return to Pulmonary Consultants to have the sutures removal on: _________________________________.
9. Avoid air travel unless authorized by your physician.
10. Call Dr. _____________________if you develop any of the following symptoms:
* Severe pain or shortness of breath.
* Coughing up blood
* Fever
*Redness, swelling, bleeding, or drainage from the removal site
(662) 377-7150 Pulmonary Consultants (during clinic hours 8:00 A.M.-5:00 P.M.)
(662) 377-3000 After clinic hours call North MS Medical Center and ask for the pulmonologist on-call.
11. Continue present medications unless otherwise directed by your physician.
12. New medications: Yes (please list below) No
1._____________________________________________________
2._____________________________________________________
3._____________________________________________________
13. If you develop a lump and/or redness at the IV site where your medication was given during the procedure, apply a warm compress (cloth soaked in warm water) to the area. If not better within 48 hours, please contact your physician.
I have received and understand the above instructions
Patient/Responsible Party__________________________RN________________________
Date___________________________