Robin was admitted to the hospital due to an accumulation of fluid in his lungs. To remove the fluid, Dr. Thomas performed a procedure known as a ____.

The correct choice for the procedure performed to remove fluid from the lungs is thoracentesis. This procedure involves inserting a needle into the pleural space between the lungs and the chest wall to collect fluid for diagnostic or therapeutic purposes.

Pneumocentesis is not typically used to describe fluid removal from the lungs specifically; rather, it might refer to procedures involving the pneumothorax or air removal from the chest cavity. Bronchoscopy is an examination of the airways using a scope and does not involve fluid removal from the pleural space. A tracheostomy is a surgical procedure to create an opening in the trachea to facilitate breathing and is unrelated to fluid accumulation in the lungs.

Understanding the distinction between these procedures is crucial in clinical contexts, as each serves a unique purpose in patient care.