pleural disorders

Question 1

what is a pneumathorax?

Answer 1

air entering the pleural space due to damage to the pleura

Question 2

normal pressure in the pleura?

Answer 2

about -4 mmHg

Question 3

types of pneumothorax?

Answer 3

spontaneous
traumatic
tension

Question 4

causes and types of spontaneous pneumothorax?

Answer 4

a blister or bleb rupturing on the lung surface

can be primary (no history of lung disease/no apparent cause) (more common in smokers)

or secondary (underlying lung disease - asthma/COPD/TB)

Question 5

clinical manifestations of pneumothorax?

Answer 5

sudden acute pain
dyspnoea
tachycardia
tachypnoea
hypoxaemia
anxiety
stress
hypotension

Question 6

pneumothorax assessment findings?

Answer 6

asymmetry of chest wall
hyperresonance on auscultation (excessive air)
decreased air entry on auscultation

Question 7

clinical manifestations of tension pneumothorax (in addition to usual manifestations)?

Answer 7

Mediastinal shift 
Trachea shift
Changes to arterial blood pressure
Gasping
Overextended chest
Distended neck veins
Respiratory distress

Question 8

clinical manifestations of haemothorax?

Answer 8

decreased chest expansion

dullness on percussion

reduced breath sounds in the affected lung

physical signs of injury

blood stained sputum

other signs and symptoms as per pneumothorax

Question 9

causes of haemothorax?

Answer 9

physical trauma to the chest (stabbing, gun wound, blunt trauma, rib fratures)

Question 10

most common causes of pleural effusion?

Answer 10

congestive cardiac failure (CCF),

pneumonia,

tuberculosis

malignancy (cancer)

Question 11

what is thoracentesis?

Answer 11

pleural tap (drainage)

Question 12

what is pleural effusion?

Answer 12

build up of excess pleural fluid due to underlying patho

Question 13

clinical manifestations of pleural effusion?

Answer 13

hypoxia

reduced air entry on the affected side

dull percussion audible

shortness of breath

cough

pleuritic chest pain