Pneumothorax

Question 1

Define pneumothorax?

Answer 1

Air in the pleural cavity

Question 2

Define primary pneumothorax?

Answer 2

Air in the pleural cavity w/o apparent cause/absence of lung disease

Question 3

Define secondary pneumothorax?

Answer 3

Occurring in the presence of lung disease/significant smoking Hx

Question 4

Who is at risk of spontaneous primary pneumothorax?

Answer 4

Tall young skinny males

Question 5

Who is at risk of spontaneous secondary pneumothorax?

Answer 5

COPD
Emphysema
Pulmonary fibrosis
Smoking weed = upper zone emphysema

Question 6

Define tension pneumothorax?

Answer 6

Rapid build up of air inside the pleural space - one way valve effect - often due to trauma
Medical emergency - Increased pressure = mediastinal shift and decreased venous return = risk of cardiopulmonary arrest

Question 7

Describe the clinical symptoms of a pneumothorax? (5)

Answer 7

SOB
Pleuritic chest pain
Cough
Syncope (T)
Dizziness (T)
If person has good reserves - may be small/asymptomatic

Question 8

Define a collapsed lung?

Answer 8

literally lung collapses with NO air in pleural space

Question 9

O/E what are the characteristic features of a pneumothorax?

Answer 9

Increased percussion note
Decreased breath sounds
Tracheal shift (T)
Decreased BP (T)
Surgical emphysema (T)