Chapter 27: Chest Injuries Flashcards
Compression of the heart as the result of buildup of blood or other fluid in the pericardial sac, leading to decreased cardiac output
cardiac tamponade (pericardial tamponade)
An injury to the chest in which the skin is not broken, usually caused by blunt trauma
closed chest injury
A blunt chest injury caused by a sudden, direct blow to the chest that occurs only during the critical portion of a person’s heartbeat
commotio cordis
A condition in which two or more ribs are fractured in two or more places or in association with a fracture of the sternum so that a segment of the chest wall is effectively detached from the rest of the thoracic cage
flail chest
A one-way valve that allows air to leave the chest cavity but not return; formed by taping three sides of an occlusive dressing to the chest wall, leaving the fourth side open as a valve
flutter valve
the accumulation of blood and air in the pleural space of the chest
hemopneumothorax
A collection of blood in the pleural cavity
hemothorax
A bruise of the heart muscle
myocardial contusion
A dressing made of Vasoline-impregnated gauze, aluminum foil, or plastic that protects a wound from air and bacteria
occlusive dressing
An injury to the chest in which the chest wall itself is penetrated by a fractured rib or, more frequently, by an external object such as a bullet or knife
open chest injury
An open or penetrating chest wall wound through which air passes during inspiration and expiration, creating a sucking sound; also referred to as a sucking chest wound.
open pneumothorax
The motion of the portion of the chest wall that is detached in a flail chest; the motion–in during inhalation, out during exhalation–is exactly the opposite of normal chest wall motion during breathing
paradoxical motion
The fibrous sac that surrounds the heart
pericardium
An accumulation of air or gas in the pleural cavity
pneumothorax
Injury or bruising of lung tissue that results in hemorrhage
pulmonary contusion
Any pneumothorax that is free from significant physiologic changes and does not cause drastic changes in the vital signs of the patient
simple pneumothorax
A pneumothorax that occurs when a weak area on the lung ruptures in the absence of major injury, allowing air to leak into the pleural space
spontaneous pneumothorax
An open or penetrating wound through which air passes during inspiration and expiration, creating a sucking sound. See also open pneumothorax
sucking chest wound
rapid respirations
tachypnea
An accumulation of air or gas in the pleural cavity that progressively increases pressure in the chest that interferes which cardiac function with potentially fatal results
tension pneumothorax
A pattern of injuries seen after a severe force is applied to the chest, forcing blood from the great vessels back into the head and neck
traumatic asphyxia
