What procedure should a respiratory therapist recommend after observing a chest CT image?

• A. Needle decompression of the left chest
• B. Postural draining and percussion of the right chest
• C. Thoracentesis
• D. Oblique chest radiograph

Answer: (C)

The recommendation of thoracentesis following the observation of a chest CT image is appropriate when there is an indication of fluid accumulation in the pleural space, such as a pleural effusion. This procedure involves inserting a needle into the pleural cavity to drain excess fluid, which can relieve respiratory distress, allow for improved lung expansion, and facilitate diagnostic analysis of the fluid.

In cases where a chest CT shows significant fluid collections, thoracentesis not only helps to alleviate symptoms but also provides valuable diagnostic information regarding the nature of the effusion, which can be crucial for treatment planning. This makes it a prime choice for interventions viewed in the context of a CT scan with concerning findings related to pleural fluid.

Postural drainage and percussion could be beneficial in different scenarios, particularly to help with secretion clearance, but it is not typically a direct response to findings indicating fluid in the pleural space observed via CT. Needle decompression is specifically utilized for tension pneumothorax situations, which wouldn't apply in a case focused typically on fluid. Lastly, an oblique chest radiograph may provide additional imaging but would not directly address an identified issue of fluid necessitating intervention.