NUR 290 Lecture Notes - Lecture 45: Pulmonary Pleurae, Pneumothorax, Chest Tube
Document Summary
Definition: the collapsing of a lung due to air accumulating in the pleural space (the space between the visceral and parietal pleura which is also called the intrapleural space). The visceral pleura (attaches to the lungs) and parietal pleura (attaches to the chest wall) are separated by a small amount of serous fluid and this space is called the intrapleural space. In a pneumothorax, this is where the air collects that causes the lung to collapse. The intrapleural space allows the visercal and parietal pleura to glide over one another during inhalation and exhalation which creates a negative pressure. The negative pressure acts like suction to keep the lungs inflated. Types of pneumothorax to remember for the nclex exam. Open pneumothorax: an opening in the chest wall (from a gun shot, stabbing etc. ) that causes a passage between outside air and the intrapleural space. This allows air to pass back and forth during inspiration and expiration.
