Pneumothorax

Question 1

There are three different types of pneumothorax

Answer 1

• Spontaneous pneumothorax
• Simple pneumothorax
• Tension penumothorax

Question 2

Spontaneous pneumothorax is

Answer 2

When someone is born with weakness in the lungs, occasionally without provocation, a weak area will rupture and allow air to leak into the pleural space.

Question 3

Signs and symptoms of pneumothorax

Answer 3

• Acute sharp chest pain
• Increased difficulty breathing
• Increased respiratory rate
• Potential hemothorax
• If there is at least a 40% collapse of the lung, you can hear a difference

Question 4

Simple pneumothorax is

Answer 4

A pneumothorax that does not result in a significant change of physiology. Usually caused by blunt trauma.

Question 5

Signs and symptoms of pneumothorax

Answer 5

• Dyspnea
• Tachypnea
• Accessory muscle use in breathing
• Late onset symptoms can include cyanosis and decreased breathing sounds on the affected side

Question 6

Tension pneumothorax is

Answer 6

This is when there is a significant accumulation of air in the pleural space. This will result in the complete collapse of the lung and moving the heart and great vessels into the opposite pleural space, which leads to shock. Usually takes a while to buildup after blunt trauma.

Question 7

Signs and symptoms of a tension pneumothorax

Answer 7

• Respiratory distress
• Altered LOC
• JVD
• Tracheal deviation to the opposite of the affected side (late sign)
• Tachycardia
• Low blood pressure
• Cyanosis
• Decreased breathed sounds on affected side

Question 8

General treatment of pneumothorax

Answer 8

• Support the patients ABC’s
• If caused by an open chest wound, treat appropriately
• High flow oxygen via nonrebreather
• Get ALS