Respiratory - Pneumothorax Flashcards
What is a pneumothorax?
Presence of air in the pleural cavity
What are two types of pneumothorax?
External - Viewable from outside
Internal - Not viewable from outside
What is tension pneumothorax?
Air pressure in pleural cavity is high enough until it compresses the organs in the chest
What is spontaneous pneumothorax?
Air in the pleural space, that cannot escape and gets trapped
What chest pain is felt during pneumothorax, and what is it?
pleuritic chest pain. Sharp pain, when breathing
What are the signs of pneumothorax when percussing?
percussion hyper resonant
What are the signs of pneumothorax when looking at the neck and chest?
Trachea shift
asymmetrical chest expansion
JVP distended
What are the signs of pneumothorax when auscultating?
Auscultation absent or dimished
What 3 ways can tension pneumothorax be identified over spontaneous?
tracheal shift
hypotension
increased jugular venous pressure
What are the two routes of PNX management for tension pneumothorax?
Needle decompression
Thoracostomy tube
Where should a needle decompression be administered for tension pneumothorax?
2nd intercostal space, at mid clavicular line
Where should a thoracostomy tube be administered for tension pneumothorax?
5th intercostal space at the anterior axillary line, connect to underwater seal
