pneumothorax Flashcards
what is the underlying pathology of pneumothorax
the vacuum is lost and the elastic lung tissue recoils towards the lung root
what are the 3 types of pneumothorax
spontaneous small
spontaneous large
tension
what size is a small spontaneous
<2cm
what is a tension pneumothorax
torn pleura creates a ONE-WAY VALVE that permits air entry on inspiration but prevents air escaping. the build up air in the pleural cavity applies tension to mediastinal structures
what way would the tracheal deviate in a tension pneumothorax
AWAY from the pneumothorax
what is the management of a small pneumothorax
leave it alone
monitor
what is “mediastinal shift” a buzzword for
tension pneumothorax
what would you find on percussion
hyper-reasonant
how can pneumothorax cause hypotension
it can compress the SVC which reduces venous return to the heart resulting in hypotension
what is the treatment of a large penumothorax
needle aspiration (thoracentesis) chest drain
what is the safe triangle for thoracentesis
anterior border = latissimus dorsi
posterior border = pectorals major
axial line superior to the nipple
where should needle aspiration/chest drain be placed in a large pneumothorax
4th or 5th intercostal space in midaxillary line
what is the treatment for a tension pneumothorax
large cannula inserted into the pleural cavity via the 2nd or 3rd intercostal space in the midclavicular line on the side of the pneumothorax
