MEDLINEplus Health Information: Return to home page   A service of the National Library of Medicine: Go to NLM home page
Search     Advanced Search    Site Map    About MEDLINEplus    Home
Health Topics: conditions, diseases and wellness Drug Information: generic and brand name drugs Dictionaries: spellings and definitions of medical terms Directories: doctors, dentists and hospitals Other Resources: organizations, libraries, publications, MEDLINE

Medical Encyclopedia

Disease     Injury     Nutrition     Poison     Special     Surgery     Symptoms     Tests


Pleural smear
 
Overview   Risks   Results   

Pleural fluid gram stain

Alternative names:

gram stain of pleural fluid

How the test is performed:

A sample of pleural fluid obtained by needle aspiration is applied in a very thin layer to a microscope slide. The specimen is stained with a violet stain known as a gram stain, and then examined under the microscope for the presence of bacteria. The color, number, and morphologic appearance of the cells help make it possible to identify the organism.

How to prepare for the test:

Adults:
It is important not to cough, breathe deeply, or move when the fluid sample is being taken. There is no other special preparation for the test.

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 experience, 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:

How the test will feel:

The specimen is obtained by a needle aspiration of the pleural space. The chest is cleansed with antibacterial soap. A needle is placed between the ribs and a small amount of fluid is withdrawn from the chest. There will be pressure and some localized pain associated with the test. A chest X-ray may follow the test to be sure the lung tissue was not affected by the test.

Why the test is performed:

The test is performed when infection of the pleural space is suspected or when an abnormal collection of pleural fluid is noticed by chest X-ray.


Adam

The information provided herein should not be used for diagnosis or treatment of any medical condition. A licensed physician should be consulted for diagnosis and treatment of any and all medical conditions. Copyright 2000 adam.com, Inc. Any duplication or distribution of the information contained herein is strictly prohibited.

Health Topics | Drug Information | Dictionaries | Directories | Other Resources