Pneumothorax Flashcards
chest trauma types
blunt trauma
a) Deceleration, acceleration, shearing, and compression injuries
b) Open wound through the pleural space
fivetypes of chest injuries
fractured ribs
flail chest
pneumothorax
hemothorax
chylothorax
emergency management for chest injuries
- Initial interventions
a) Circulation, airway, breathing
b) O2 to keep SpO2>90%
c) IVs and fluid resuscitation
d) Assess injury
e) Dressing to site - On-going monitoring
what is a fractured rib
Can damage pleura and lungs, and surrounding vessels or organs
fractured ribs clinical manifestations
Pain with inspiration, coughing, splinting, shallow respirations
fractured ribs complications
atelectasis
pneumonia
management of fractured ribs
reduce pain
deep breathing and coughing
incentive spirometry
what is flail chest
a) 3 or more adjacent ribs fractured in 2 or more places
b) Paradoxical chest wall movement
manifestations of flail chest
rapid, shallow respirations; tachycardia, crepitus
management of flail chest
O2 as needed
pain management,
stabilize flail segment (mechanical ventilation, surgical fixation)
what is pneumothorax
a) Collection of air in the pleural space.
b) Positive pressure in cavity causes lung to collapse
c) Increased air in pleural space equals reduced lung volume
manifestations of pneumothorax (small and large)
Small pneumothorax – mild tachycardia and dyspnea
Large pneumothorax – respiratory distress, absent breath sounds over affected area
types of pneumothorax
spontaneous
iatrogenic
tension pneumothorax
describe spontaneous pneumothorax
Rupture of blebs (air-filled sacs)
describe latrogenic pneumothorax
Caused by medical procedures
describe tension pneumothorax
accumulation of air in pleural space that cannot escape resulting in increased intrapleural pressure
causes mediastinal shift and hemodynamic instability – decreased venous return and decreased CO
Medical emergency –needle decompression or insertion chest tube
manifestation of tension pneumothorax
severe dyspnea
tachycardia
tracheal deviation
decreased or absent breath sounds on affected side
JVD
cyanosis
diaphoresis
emergency management of pneumothorax
Cover wound with dressing secured on 3 sides
Do not remove impaled object
Chest tube insertion
what is hemothorax and its management
Presence of blood in the pleural space
Management: chest tube insertion, treat hypovolemia as needed