Chapter 30 Chest Injuries Flashcards
Compression of the heart as a result of build up a 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 it’s not broken, usually caused by blunt trauma
Close chest injury
A blunt chest injury caused by sudden, direct blow to the chest that occurs only during the critical portion of a persons heartbeat
Commotio cordis
A grating or grinding sensation caused by fractured bone ends or joint rubbing together
Crepitus
A condition in which two or more adjacent ribs, or fractured, and 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 may also be part of a commercial vented occlusive dressing
Flutter valve
The accumulation of blood and air in the pleural space of the chest
Hemopneumothorax
The collection of blood in the pleural cavity
Hemothorax
Bruising of the heart muscle
Myocardial contusion
An airtight dressing that protects the wound from air and bacteria. A commercial vented version allows air to passively escape from the chest, while unvented dressing may be made of petroleum, gauze, aluminum foil or plastic.
Occlusive dressing
An injury to the chest in which the chest wall itself is penetrated by fractured rib or more frequently buy 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 fiber sac that surrounds the heart
Pericardium
An accumulation of air or gas in the pleural cavity
Pneumothorax
An injury or bruising of lung tissue, that results in hemorrhage
Pulmonary contusion
Any pneumothorax that is free from significant psychological changes and does not cause drastic change in the vital signs of the patient

Simple pneumothorax
A pneumothorax that occurs when a week area of the line ruptures in the absence of major injury, allowing air to leak into the pleural space
Spontaneous pneumothorax
An open or penetrating chest wall 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 with cardiac function with potentially fatal results
Tension pneumothorax
A pattern of injury scene after severe force is applied to the chest, forcing blood from the great vessels, back into the head and neck
Traumatic asphyxia
An occlusive dressing design to allow air to escape through the dressing, but not be drawn back in
Vented chest seal
