Pneumothorax

Question 1

A pneumothorax occurs when there is presence of air in the pleural space leading to

Answer 1

A loss of negative intrathoracic pressure

Question 2

What are 3 causes of a pneumothorax?

Answer 2

Spontaneous, traumatic, iatrogenic

Question 3

A pneumothorax may evolve into a tension pneumothorax which causes

Answer 3

Increasing positive pressure in the pleura space (life-threatening)

Question 4

A secondary spontaneous pneumothorax occurs in the presence of underlying lung disease but in the absence of

Answer 4

Trauma

Question 5

What are chief symptoms of pneumothorax?

Answer 5

Acute onset of breathlessness and unilateral pleuritic chest pain

Question 6

What are symptoms of a large pneumothorax?

Answer 6

Acute respiratory distress, diaphoresis, tachycardia, hypoxemia, tachypnea, tracheal deviation, and cyanosis

Question 7

What are symptoms of a smaller pneumothorax?

Answer 7

Mild dyspnea, chest discomfort, or no symptoms at all

Question 8

What is the gold standard test for a pneumothorax?

Answer 8

Chest CT

Question 9

What should be avoided until the pneumothorax is confirmed to be resolved?

Answer 9

Scuba diving and air travel