NUR1 221 Lecture Notes - Lecture 7: No Air, Chest Injury, Chest Tube

31 views9 pages

Document Summary

Chest trauma causes 25% of all traumatic deaths in canada each year. Pneumothoraxes occur in 40-50% of patients with chest traumas. Injury to the thoracic cage and its contents; can range from a minor bump to severe injury. The heart, lungs and great vessels are at risk. The elasticity of the lungs maintains a negative pressure within the pleural cavity. If the pleural cavity is puncture the pressure difference is lost and the lung will collapse. No air can reach the alveoli and hypoxia rapidly follows. Serious injury is possible to heart, lungs and thoracic structures. Eg. falls or blows to the chest, deceleration injuries. Any chest trauma is considered life threatening. Air enters into the pleural space from a puncture or tear in an internal respiratory structure. Air enters the pleural space directly through a hole in the chest wall or diaphragm.

Get access

Grade+20% off
$8 USD/m$10 USD/m
Billed $96 USD annually
Grade+
Homework Help
Study Guides
Textbook Solutions
Class Notes
Textbook Notes
Booster Class
40 Verified Answers
Class+
$8 USD/m
Billed $96 USD annually
Class+
Homework Help
Study Guides
Textbook Solutions
Class Notes
Textbook Notes
Booster Class
30 Verified Answers

Related Documents