Chapter 27: Chest Injuries

Question 1

Compression of the heart as the result of buildup of blood or other fluid in the pericardial sac, leading to decreased cardiac output

Answer 1

cardiac tamponade (pericardial tamponade)

Question 2

An injury to the chest in which the skin is not broken, usually caused by blunt trauma

Answer 2

closed chest injury

Question 3

A blunt chest injury caused by a sudden, direct blow to the chest that occurs only during the critical portion of a person’s heartbeat

Answer 3

commotio cordis

Question 4

A condition in which two or more ribs are fractured in two or more places or in association with a fracture of the sternum so that a segment of the chest wall is effectively detached from the rest of the thoracic cage

Answer 4

flail chest

Question 5

A one-way valve that allows air to leave the chest cavity but not return; formed by taping three sides of an occlusive dressing to the chest wall, leaving the fourth side open as a valve

Answer 5

flutter valve

Question 6

the accumulation of blood and air in the pleural space of the chest

Answer 6

hemopneumothorax

Question 7

A collection of blood in the pleural cavity

Answer 7

hemothorax

Question 8

A bruise of the heart muscle

Answer 8

myocardial contusion

Question 9

A dressing made of Vasoline-impregnated gauze, aluminum foil, or plastic that protects a wound from air and bacteria

Answer 9

occlusive dressing

Question 10

An injury to the chest in which the chest wall itself is penetrated by a fractured rib or, more frequently, by an external object such as a bullet or knife

Answer 10

open chest injury

Question 11

An open or penetrating chest wall wound through which air passes during inspiration and expiration, creating a sucking sound; also referred to as a sucking chest wound.

Answer 11

open pneumothorax

Question 12

The motion of the portion of the chest wall that is detached in a flail chest; the motion–in during inhalation, out during exhalation–is exactly the opposite of normal chest wall motion during breathing

Answer 12

paradoxical motion

Question 13

The fibrous sac that surrounds the heart

Answer 13

pericardium

Question 14

An accumulation of air or gas in the pleural cavity

Answer 14

pneumothorax

Question 15

Injury or bruising of lung tissue that results in hemorrhage

Answer 15

pulmonary contusion

Question 16

Any pneumothorax that is free from significant physiologic changes and does not cause drastic changes in the vital signs of the patient

Answer 16

simple pneumothorax

Question 17

A pneumothorax that occurs when a weak area on the lung ruptures in the absence of major injury, allowing air to leak into the pleural space

Answer 17

spontaneous pneumothorax

Question 18

An open or penetrating wound through which air passes during inspiration and expiration, creating a sucking sound. See also open pneumothorax

Answer 18

sucking chest wound

Question 19

rapid respirations

Answer 19

tachypnea

Question 20

An accumulation of air or gas in the pleural cavity that progressively increases pressure in the chest that interferes which cardiac function with potentially fatal results

Answer 20

tension pneumothorax

Question 21

A pattern of injuries seen after a severe force is applied to the chest, forcing blood from the great vessels back into the head and neck

Answer 21

traumatic asphyxia