Chp 30 Vocab

Question 1

cardiac tamponade (pericardial tamponade)

Answer 1

Compression of the heart as the result of buildup of blood or other fluid in the pericardial sac, leading to decreased cardiac output.

Question 2

closed chest injury

Answer 2

An injury to the chest in which the skin is not broken, usually caused by blunt trauma.

Question 3

commotio cordis

Answer 3

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.

Question 4

crepitus

Answer 4

A grating or grinding sensation caused by fractured bone ends or joints rubbing together

Question 5

flail chest

Answer 5

A condition in which two or more adjacent 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.

Question 6

flutter valve

Answer 6

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.

Question 7

hemopneumothorax

Answer 7

The accumulation of blood and air in the pleural space of the chest.

Question 8

hemothorax

Answer 8

A collection of blood in the pleural cavity.

Question 9

myocardial contusion

Answer 9

Bruising of the heart muscle.

Question 10

occlusive dressing

Answer 10

An airtight dressing that protects a wound from air and bacteria; a commercial vented version allows air to passively escape from the chest, while an unvented dressing may be made of petrolatum gauze, aluminum foil, or plastic.

Question 11

open chest injury

Answer 11

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.

Question 12

open pneumothorax

Answer 12

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.

Question 13

paradoxical motion

Answer 13

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.

Question 14

pericardium

Answer 14

The fibrous sac that surrounds the heart.

Question 15

pneumothorax

Answer 15

An accumulation of air or gas in the pleural cavity.

Question 16

pulmonary contusion

Answer 16

Injury or bruising of lung tissue that results in hemorrhage.

Question 17

simple pneumothorax

Answer 17

Any pneumothorax that is free from significant physiologic changes and does not cause drastic changes in the vital signs of the patient.

Question 18

spontaneous pneumothorax

Answer 18

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.

Question 19

sucking chest wound

Answer 19

An open or penetrating chest wall wound through which air passes during inspiration and expiration, creating a sucking sound. See also open pneumothorax.

Question 20

tachypnea

Answer 20

Rapid respirations.

Question 21

tension pneumothorax

Answer 21

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.

Question 22

traumatic asphyxia

Answer 22

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.

Question 23

vented chest seal

Answer 23

An occlusive dressing designed to allow air to escape through the dressing but not be drawn back in.