Pleural Fluid Analysis

How to Prepare for the Test?

Adults:
There is no special preparation. Do not cough, breathe deeply, or move during the test to avoid injury to the lung. A chest X-ray may be performed before and/or after the test. Your doctor will probably want to observe you for 30-60 minutes after the procedure to see if a complication occurs.

Infants and children:
The physical and psychological preparation you can provide for this or any test or procedure depends on your child's age, interests, previous experiences, and level of trust. For specific information regarding how you can prepare your child, see the following topics as they correspond to your child's age:

• Infant test or procedure preparation (birth to 1 year)
• Toddler test or procedure preparation (1 to 3 years)
• Preschooler test or procedure preparation (3 to 6 years)
• Schoolage test or procedure preparation (6 to 12 years)
• Adolescent test or procedure preparation (12 to 18 years)