pneumothorax

Question 1

definition?

Answer 1

collection of air in the pleural space

Question 2

types?

Answer 2

spontaneous: in patients with no predisposing lung disease
traumatic: due to penetrating injury
tension: life-threatening pressure build-up in the lung that leads to shock

Question 3

clinical features?

Answer 3

1. sudden severe pleuritic chest pain and SOB
2. hyperresonant percussion
3. reduced tactile fremitus
4. reduced or absent breath sounds

in tension: trachea deviated away, signs of shock, and respiratory distress

Question 4

diagnosis?

Answer 4

chest cray is diagnostic

tension pneumothorax is clinical diagnosis

Question 5

pathophysiology of tension?

Answer 5

one way valve mechanism where air enters the pleural space but cannot exit, leading to progressive increase in positive pressure

Question 6

treatment of tension?

Answer 6

needle decompression in second intercostal space then chest tube drain in fifth intercostal space