Pneumothorax

Pneumothorax

Whether through trauma or spontaneous air in the pleural space. The lung or a section of the lungs collapses as air enters the pleural space.

Type

• Unplanned pneumothorax
• An open pneumothorax.
• Pneumothorax due to tension.

Clinical Manifestation

• Hyper-resonance.
• Reduced breath sound
• Tracheal asymmetry
• Decreased thoracic motion in the afflicted area.
• Cyanosis.
• Moderate to mild dyspnea
• Pain in the chest.

Pathophysiology

Due to the recoil of the chest wall and the inward movement of the lungs, intrapleural pressure is often negative (less than air pressure). In a pneumothorax, air enters the pleural space directly or indirectly through pleural perforation, mediastinal tissue planes, or the lung itself.

Management

• Aspiration with a needle
• Drainage via a chest tube.
• Surgery involving pleurodesis.
• Decompression occurring right away in tension pneumothorax.

Nursing Management

• Provide the indicated emergency vehicle.
• To treat a chest wound sucking, use petroleum gauze.
• Help with thoracentesis in an emergency.
• Cardiopulmonary resuscitation should be done.
• Keep the airway open and suction as necessary.
• Describe where Fowler is.
• Help with the chest brace while moving and coughing.
• Administer painkillers.
• Whenever necessary, give oxygen.
• Observe the ABG analysis.
• O2 saturation should be monitored using pulse oximetry.
• Drainage via a chest tube.

References

• emedicine.medscape.com/article/424547-overview
• http://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/pneumothorax/symptoms-causes/dxc-20179900
• www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/pneumothorax/home/ovc-20179880