Gas exchange McCarty

Question 1

Pneumothorax

Answer 1

Accumulation of air in the pleural space, resulting in total or partial collapse

Question 2

Causes of pneumothorax

Answer 2

1. Disruption of parietal or visceral pleura
   - penetrating trauma
   - blunt chest wall trauma
   - diagnostic procedures
   - diseases of pulmonary system
   - ruptured sub pleural blebs (COPD)
2. Rupture of alveoli
   - secondary to external chest trauma
   - mechanical ventilation

Question 4

Signs and symptoms of pneumothorax

Answer 4

-shortness of breath
- chest discomfort
- tachypnea
- decreased or absent breath sounds
- asymmetric lung expansion
- subcutaneous emphysema
- hyper-resonance or percussion on affected side
- tracheal deviation
- tachycardia
- hypotension
-anxiety

Question 5

Diagnostic testing for pneumothorax

Answer 5

-chest x-ray
- ABG (hypoxemia, hypercapnia)
-CT scan

Question 6

Types of spontaneous pneumothorax

Answer 6

-Primary
-Secondary

Question 7

Types of traumatic pneumothorax

Answer 7

-open
-closed
-iatrogenic

Question 8

Spontaneous pneumothorax

Answer 8

Disruption of visceral pleura that allows air from lung to enter the pleural space

Question 9

Primary spontaneous pneumothorax

Answer 9

• without prior lung disease
• common in tall thin males

Question 10

Secondary pneumothorax

Answer 10

• with prior lung disease
• if small, may just monitor <10%
• if large, chest tube placement >20%

Question 11

Traumatic pneumothorax: open

Answer 11

-penetrating trauma or parietal pleura; allows atmospheric air to enter pleural space

• use 3 way dressing
• surgical repair
• chest tube
  Examples: open chest wound, stab, gun wound

Question 12

Traumatic pneumothorax: closed

Answer 12

• blunt chest trauma to visceral allows air from lung to enter pleural space
• chest wall remains intact
• give chest tube

Examples: falls, MVC

Question 13

Traumatic pneumothorax:

Answer 13

-laceration to visceral pleura allows air from lung to enter pleural space