Open Pneumothorax

Question 1

What is an open pneumothorax?

Answer 1

It is a defect in the chest wall

Air is sucked into an open wound - some air may bubble out during expiration

Question 2

Treatment of an open pneumothorax

Answer 2

C, A and B (C-E?) with diagnostics

Patient positioning - consider spinal immobilisation

Oxygen 100%, I. P. P. V. If necessary

Cover open chest wounds with Ashermans or Russell chest seal

Consider anaelgesia