In episode 76 of the Medical Nursing Podcast, we’re chatting all about something that honestly baffled me when I was working in general practice (and in my very early referral nursing days), and that’s chylothorax.

As far as I was concerned back in 2015, before I lived and breathed medicine, a chylothorax would have been just another patient needing a thoracocentesis. 

I didn’t understand what was causing the disease or its impact on the patient. And aside from them being a respiratory patient and needing monitoring, I had NO idea what nursing actions I could take to make things better - I didn’t really know how to help. 

But when I started learning what a chylothorax was, why it happens, and what we can do to help these patients? That’s when I stopped feeling out of my depth, and realised that I CAN make decisions as a vet nurse, and my actions WILL help my patients.

So in this episode, I want to share the three essential things you NEED to know about chylothorax - and more importantly, how to turn that knowledge into nursing care that really helps your patient. So next time you’re handed a patient with chylothorax, you’ll know exactly what to watch out for and exactly how to help them.

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Resources mentioned in this episode:

📲 Chest drain management and recording sheet - inside the free resource library!

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This podcast does not replace a veterinary surgeon's advice, and its content is provided only for information. A veterinary surgeon must diagnose all conditions, and veterinary nurses and technicians must ensure they work within local legislation and regulating body guidelines at all times. Any products or treatments discussed are for information only and do not constitute endorsements of products or services.