NURS 371 Lecture Notes - Lecture 3: Rib Fracture, Subcutaneous Emphysema, Chest Tube
Document Summary
Chest trauma: pneumothorax- air or gas in the pleural space that causes lung collapse. Closed no outwards opening or communication with outside environment; nothing penetrated the chest wall. Popped / ruptured blebs(small air pockets in lungs most common in male smokers), subclavian central lines. Open sucking chest wound - puncture, open to outside environment when taking in a deep breath, outside air comes in. Apply occlusive dressing and tape on 3 sides; allowing some air out with exhalation. Tension - caused by previous open pneumothorax; creates a flap that doesn"t allow air to escape due to trapped air. Hemothorax - blood collecting can happen with open or tension, with trauma, with surgery. Can include hypoxia, cyanosis, and use of accessory muscle. Reduced or absent breath sounds on the affected side, asymmetrical chest wall movement. Tension pneumo- absent breath sounds and movement, tracheal deviation, affects the hearts and cardiac output.