Thoracic Trauma Flashcards

You may prefer our related Brainscape-certified flashcards:
0
Q

How many vertebrae are in the thoracic region?

A

12

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
1
Q

Where does the diaphragm rise in an individual who is lying down or who has just completed exhalation?

A

Up to the nipple line

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
2
Q

If a patent injures their spinal cord at C5 or below, what could happen?

A

They lose their ability to innervate their intercostal muscles but can still breath.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
3
Q

If a patient injures their spinal cord at C3 or above what can happen?

A

Completely lose their ability to breath spontaneously

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
4
Q

What is pleuritic pain?

A

Irritation or damage to the plural surfaces that causes a “sharp” or “stabbing” pain with each breath

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
5
Q

What is hemoptysis?

A

Spitting or coughing up blood

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
6
Q

What does hemoptysis indicate?

A

Damage to the lung parenchyma or air passages leading to lungs

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
7
Q

What is a cardiac tamponade?

A

Accumulation of fluid in the pericardium

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
8
Q

What is a pericardiocentesis?

A

Procedure where fluid is aspirated from the pericardium

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
9
Q

How much blood can the lungs hold?

A

1500 mL

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
10
Q

How much blood can the chest cavity hold?

A

2000-3000 mL of blood

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
11
Q

What is pulmonary contusion?

A

Bruising of the lung.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
12
Q

What are three physical mechanisms for creating a pulmonary contusion?

A

Implosion effect
Inertial effect
Spalding effect

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
13
Q

What is the implosion effect of pulmonary contusions?

A

Overexpansion of air in lungs after trauma which results in rapid, excessive stretching and tearing of the alveoli

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
14
Q

What is the inertial effect regarding pulmonary confusions?

A

Strips alveoli from the heavier bronchial structures when accelerated at varying rates by a concussive wave

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
15
Q

What is the Spalding effect regarding pulmonary contusion?

A

The gas exchange is disrupted by shock wave

16
Q

What type of injuries are more common with pericardial temponade?

A

Penetrating injuries

17
Q

How does fluid in the pericardium (pericardial temponade) effect the heart?

A

It prevents blood from filling during diastole which prevents blood from circulating adequately and lowers bp

18
Q

What does centesis mean?

A

Puncture

19
Q

What is the Beck Triad?

A

Classic signs for diagnosing cardial temponade

Narrowing pulse pressure
JVD
Muffled heart tones

20
Q

What is the most common site of aortic rupture?

A

Ligamentum arteriosum

21
Q

What Is the ligamentum arteriosum?

A

Where aortic shearing is most common

Part of the descending aorta at the isthmus just distal to the left subclavian artery

22
Q

What are five findings of an aortic dissection/rupture?

A
Retrosternal or interscapular pain
Dysphagia
Ischemic pain of extremities
Decreased femoral pulse
Harsh systolic murmur over the precordium
23
Q

Where is the precordium?

A

Anterior body that lies over heart and lower thorax or interscapular region

24
Q

What three injuries do you restrict fluids?

A

Pulmonary contusion
Flail segments
Sternal fracture (if pulmonary contusion is suspected)

25
Q

What are two signs of an aortic tear?

A

Unequal blood pressures

Unequal pulses

26
Q

What is hemotemesis?

A

Vomiting blood