A patient with a hemothorax has become febrile with chills. He complains of chest pain and has a nonproductive cough. Which of the following could explain these findings?
Explanation
•A hemothorax is a collection of blood in the pleural space (space between the chest wall and the lung). Fluid accumulation from a hemothorax increases the risk of empyema.
•Empyema is an infected pocket of fluid in the pleural space, often referred to as pus.
•Pulmonary embolism does not typically cause a fever.
•A productive cough would be expected with pneumonia.
•Emphysema is a chronic lung disease and would not develop acutely. It is also not associated with a hemothorax.