Chapter 30- Chest Injuries Flashcards
crepitus
grating or grinding sensation caused by fractured bone ends or joints rubbing together
pleuritic pain (pleurisy)
irritation of or damage to the pleural surfaces causing a characteristic sharp or sticking pain with each breath when these normally smooth surfaces slide on one another
open pneumothorax (sucking chest wound)
An open or penetrating wound to the chest wall
simple pneumothorax
any pneumothorax that does not result in major changes in the patient’s cardiac physiology
symptoms of simple pneumothorax
Dyspnea or increased work of breathing exhibited as increased rate
Tachypnea and accessory muscle use
Decreasing oxygen saturation on the pulse oximeter
Crackling sensation felt on palpation of skin
late signs:
Decreased breath sounds on the injured side
Lethargy
Cyanosis
hemothorax
blood collecting in pleural space
cardiac tamponade (pericardial tamponade)
when the protective membrane around the heart fills with blood from coronary artery or vein
symptoms of cardiac tamponade
Beck’s triad:
JVD
narrowing pulse pressure
muffled heart signs
treatment for cardiac tamponade
Positive pressure ventilation to any pt who is hypoventilating or apneic
pt with broken ribs will:
Report localized tenderness and pain when breathing
Avoid taking deep breaths
Hold the affected portion of the rib cage in an effort to minimize discomfort
flail chest
when a segment of the chest wall detaches from the rest of the thoracic cage
pulmonary contusion
when the alveoli become filled with blood making the pt hypoxic
should always be suspected in pt with flail chest
symptoms of traumatic asphyxia
Distended neck veins
Cyanosis in the face and neck
Hemorrhage into the sclera of the eye
commotio cordis
blunt chest injury caused by sudden, direct blow to chest that occurs only during a critical portion of a person’s heartbeat
may result in immediate cardiac arrest
