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
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 three 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; 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
A collection of blood in the pleural cavity
Hemothorax
Bruising of the heart muscle
Myocardial contusion
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 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
