Page 4 Flashcards
What is Pericardial Tamponade?
Pericardial Tamponade is characterized by muffled heart sounds, JVD, and narrowing pulse pressure.
May also present with shock, dyspnea, weak rapid pulse, and equal breath sounds.
What are the characteristics of Flail Chest?
Flail Chest presents with localized pain at the injury site, point tenderness, pain with increased movement, and deformity of the chest wall.
Patients may also report a crackling sensation, have a characteristic stance leaning toward the injured site, hold a hand over the injured area, and show paradoxical movement of the chest wall.
What are the characteristics of Hemothorax?
Hemothorax may present like shock, have no JVD, and exhibit hypo-resonance chest sounds.
Treatment involves bulky dressing and support structures.
What is Myocardial Contusion?
Myocardial Contusion presents with sternal bruising, chest pain, arrhythmias, and shortness of breath.
Often seen in MVC with blunt force trauma to the chest into the steering wheel. Treatment involves administering oxygen and considering needle decompression.
What are the characteristics of Pulmonary Embolism (PE)?
Pulmonary Embolism (PE) presents with sudden onset, shortness of breath, chest pain, increased heart rate and respiratory rate, cool pale clammy skin, decreased level of consciousness, pink tinged sputum, and clear breath sounds initially then rales as pulmonary edema worsens.
Risk factors include being bedridden, trauma or surgical patients, prolonged sitting, recent c-section or traumatic delivery, <AOyr old taking oral contraceptives, and smokers.
What is a Sucking Chest Wound?
A Sucking Chest Wound is characterized by an open wound on the chest wall and may produce a sucking sound with patient respirations.
Treatment involves a 3-sided dressing to allow air to escape and prevent tension pneumothorax.
What are the characteristics of Pneumothorax?
Pneumothorax may be spontaneous or traumatic and presents with sudden onset of sharp chest pain, shortness of breath, decreased or absent breath sounds on the affected side, and may occur after sneezing, coughing, or straining.
Tall, thin males with a history of previous pneumothorax are susceptible.
What is Tension Pneumothorax?
Tension Pneumothorax is characterized by severe increasing dyspnea, weak rapid pulse, decreasing blood pressure, possible uneven movement of the chest wall, JVD, cyanosis, decreased breath sounds on the affected side, hyperresonance, tracheal deviation, and displaced heart sounds.
It is a life-threatening condition that requires immediate intervention.
What is Traumatic Asphyxia?
Traumatic Asphyxia presents with a dark blue or purple appearance of the head, neck, and shoulders, bloodshot or bulging eyes, deformed chest wall, severe respiratory distress, severe shock, and may require CPR on the scene.
It is a serious condition that requires prompt medical attention.
What are the characteristics of Closed Head Injury (Increased Intracranial Pressure)?
Closed Head Injury (Increased Intracranial Pressure) may present with personality changes, headache, aphasia, projectile vomiting, posturing, dilated pupils, irregular respiratory patterns, and increased blood pressure with irregular respirations.
This condition can lead to Cushing’s Triad, which indicates herniation and requires urgent medical evaluation.
