Pneumothorax Flashcards
(9 cards)
What is a pneumothorax?
Air collects between the visceral pleura and the parietal pleura lining the chest cavity
What are blebs in the lung parenchyma?
Weak spots that can rupture under stress, causing a spontaneous pneumothorax
What conditions can predispose individuals to have blebs?
- Congenital factors
- COPD
What can cause the rupture of a bleb?
Stress such as coughing or aggressive bag-mask ventilation
Which patients are prone to blebs?
- People with severe asthma
- Tall, thin individuals, especially smokers
What symptoms may patients experience after coughing with a pneumothorax?
Sharp pain followed by increasing dyspnea
Do most patients with a pneumothorax require acute intervention?
No, most will not require acute intervention
What is the recommended care for patients with pneumothorax?
- Receive oxygen
- Close monitoring of respiratory status
Fill in the blank: Blebs can be caused by _______.
[congenital factors or COPD]
