Pneumothorax

Question 1

What is a Pneumothorax?

Answer 1

Air gets inside the chest cavity (outside the lung) and creates pressure against the lung, causing it to collapse.

Question 2

What are the 3 types of pneumothorax

Answer 2

Traumatic pneumothorax

Non-traumatic pneumothorax - (Primary Spontaneous/Secondary Spontaneous)

Tension pneumothorax

Question 3

What 4 things causes a Pneumothorax?

Answer 3

*blunt or penetrating chest injury
*damage from underlying lung
disease
*certain medical procedures
*no obvious reason

Question 4

Who is at increased risk of Primary Spontaneous Pneumothorax?

Answer 4

Tall thin men

Question 5

Primary Spontaneous Pneumothorax is defined as?

Answer 5

*Increased pleural porosity secondary to inflammation

*Rupture of blebs or bullae

*Connective tissue disorders such as Marfan’s syndrome

Question 6

Secondary Spontaneous Pneumothorax happens?

Answer 6

When lung tissue damaged by COPD allows air to leak into the pleural cavity.

Question 7

Pneumothorax Treatments are?

Answer 7

*Oxygen if necessary
*Analgesia
*Needle thoracocentesis
*Conveyance

Question 8

Tension pneumothorax is caused by?

Answer 8

When air can get into your lungs but can’t get out. The one-way valve effect causes pressure to build up inside of your chest.

Question 9

Traumatic pneumothorax is caused by?

Answer 9

Injury to your chest or medical procedure.