Pleural Fluid Gram Stain
Alternate Names : Gram Stain of Pleural Fluid
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How will the Test Feel?
The specimen is obtained by thoracentesis (a needle aspiration of fluid in the pleural space). The chest is cleansed with antibacterial soap. The area is anesthetized with local anesthetic. Then, a needle is placed between the ribs, and a sample of fluid is withdrawn from the chest.
You may feel a stinging sensation when the anesthetic in injected. You may feel some pressure and slight localized pain when the thoracentesis needle enters the pleural space. A chest X-ray is usually done following the test to be sure the lung tissue was not affected by the test.
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