Pneumothorax



Table of Contents

Introduction3

Types of Pneumothorax4

Artificial Pneumothorax4

Extrapleural Pneumothorax4

Open Pneumothorax4

Pathophysiology5

Symptoms7

Diagnosis of Pneumothorax8

Treatment10

Nursing Interventions11

Chest Radiograph11

Patient Care12

Skilled Nursing Treatment14

Surgery15

Emergency Discharge16

References17

Appendix18

Pneumothorax

Introduction

Pneumothorax is defined as the presence of air in the pleural cavity. Pneumothorax is divided into a spontaneous, traumatic, and iatrogenic. Primary spontaneous pneumothorax occurs in the absence of clinically significant pulmonary disease, secondary spontaneous pneumothorax occurs due to a complication of an existing pulmonary pathology. Iatrogenic pneumothorax is a result of complications of treatment or diagnostic intervention. Traumatic pneumothorax is a consequence of penetrating or blunt trauma to the chest, in which the air can penetrate into the pleural cavity from a ruptured lung tissue or chest wall defect.

Pneumothorax is characterized by the presence of air in the pleural cavity caused by a tear in the pleura. This tear causes a partial or total collapse of the lung. Pneumothorax may be closed or opened (McLuckie, 2009).

The occurrence of pneumothorax is an emergency and requires prompt action to close the air leak. It results from an open or closed pneumothorax. The air between each inspiration cannot be evacuated. There is air pressure in the healthy lung, heart, great vessels and trachea. Without prompt action, the person may die. In the presence of this complication, we must quickly administer a high concentration of oxygen and carry out an intervention (chest tube) to restore negative pressure to ensure the expansion of the lung.

Types of Pneumothorax

Artificial Pneumothorax

A pneumothorax is induced intentionally by artificial means, used to treat pulmonary tuberculosis or pneumonia. Pneumothorax allows the diseased lung to rest temporarily. The lung collapses when the air enters the pleural space. Scattered adhesions may afford only a partial collapse. Effusion may occur in about one third of the cases. Hazards include pain, infection, and respiratory distress.

Extrapleural Pneumothorax

The formation of a pneumothorax by introducing air into the space between the pleura and the inside of the rib cage.

Open Pneumothorax

A pneumothorax in which the pleural cavity is exposed to the atmosphere through an open wound in the chest wall. Open pneumothorax occurs due to the penetrating wounds of thoracic cage. With this type of pneumothorax, pleural cavity freely communicates with the atmospheric air through an open wound thoracic cage (open out), or a defect in the bronchus or fahee (open mouth).

The pressure in the pleural cavity on the affected side becomes positive. Because of their elastic properties of lung collapse. There is a so-called paradoxical breathing. As a result, the depth of respiration is sharply reduced, disturbed ventilation, developed respiratory and cardiac failure, respiratory hypoxia, shock. Often there is a "flotation" mediastinum, ie, its displacement is in the patient, the healthy side with each inhalation and exhalation. When untimely medical care, death can occur from the shock, cardiac abnormalities.

Pathophysiology

Air can enter the pleural cavity from:

The lung parenchyma

The tracheobronchial tree

Esophagus

Intra-abdominal organs

The outside through the chest wall

May sometimes be caused by a combination of these sources

Physiopathological changes resulting in pneumothorax depends on the amount of air in the pleural cavity and the state of the patient's cardiopulmonary ...