Chapter 27

Question 1

cardiac tamponade (pericardial tamponade)

Answer 1

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

Question 2

closed chest injury

Answer 2

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

Question 3

commotio cordis

Answer 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

Question 4

flail chest

Answer 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

Question 5

flutter valve

Answer 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

Question 6

hemopneumothorax

Answer 6

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

Question 7

hemothorax

Answer 7

A collection of blood in the pleural cavity

Question 8

myocardial contusion

Answer 8

A bruise of the heart muscle

Question 9

occlusive dressing

Answer 9

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

Question 10

open chest injury

Answer 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

Question 11

open pneumothorax

Answer 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

Question 12

paradoxical motion

Answer 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

Question 13

pericardium

Answer 13

The fibrous sac that surrounds the heart

Question 14

pneumothorax

Answer 14

An accumulation of air or gas in the pleural cavity

Question 15

pulmonary contusion

Answer 15

Injury or bruising of lung tissue that results in hemorrhage

Question 16

simple pneumothorax

Answer 16

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

Question 17

spontaneous pneumothorax

Answer 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

Question 18

sucking chest wound

Answer 18

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

Question 19

tachypnea

Answer 19

Rapid respirations

Question 20

tension pneumothorax

Answer 20

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

Question 21

traumatic asphyxia

Answer 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