Pathophysiology
This condition occurs when air enters the pleural space and cannot escape, increasing pressure in the chest.
What is a tension pneumothorax?
Sharp chest pain, dyspnea, and absent breath sounds on one side may indicate this.
What is pneumothorax?
This imaging test is often the first to detect a pleural effusion.
What is a chest x-ray?
This position is used during thoracentesis to allow fluid drainage.
What is sitting upright and leaning forward?
A scuba diver arrives with SOB, low BP, and absent breath sounds- what's the priority action?
What is chest tube insertion?
A disruption in the chest wall that causes a segment to move opposite to the rest of the chest.
What is flail chest?
Bilateral crackles and a history of urosepsis suggest this condition.
What is ARDS?
This test can identify pulmonary emboli when CT is contraindicated.
What is a V/Q scan?
When caring for a chest tube, ensure this is functioning properly.
What is the drainage system or suction?
A patient with flail chest is intubated-what should the nurse prioritize?
What is pain management and ventilator monitoring?
A result of emboli blocking pulmonary circulation, leading to ventilation-perfusion mismatch.
What is a pulmonary embolism?
Asymmetrical chest wall movement and paradoxical breathing may indicate this trauma-related disorder.
What is flail chest?
These values reflect oxygenation, ventilation, and acid-base status.
What are ABGs (Arterial Blood Gases)?
Intervention when PaO2 <60 despite oxygen.
What is mechanical ventilation?
A client with sudden chest pain and hemoptysis post-op-what labs should you draw?
What are ABG and D-dimer?
This syndrome causes alveolar collapse and noncompliant lungs despite oxygen therapy.
What is ARDS?
Sudden onset of dyspnea, restlessness, and low O2 sat in a post-op client should prompt concern for this.
What is pulmonary embolism?
This lab value is elevated in the presence of blood clots and supports a PE diagnosis.
What is a D-dimer?
This position is recommended to improve oxygenation in ARDS clients.
What is prone positioning?
A ventilated ARDS client has increasing restlessness and a drop in SpO2. What should the nurse assess first?
What is ventilator settings and tube placement?
This intervention maintains alveolar inflation and improves oxygenation in ARDS.
What is PEEP (Positive End Expiratory Pressure)?
This sign is a late indicator of tension pneumothorax and requires immediate intervention.
What is tracheal deviation?
This diagnostic test directly visualizes airway structures and can retrieve samples.
What is bronchoscopy?
This device encourages lung expansion and helps prevent atelectasis.
What is an incentive spirometer?
A client with suspected PE is awaiting imaging. The nurse notes tachycardia, hypoxia, and chest pain. What is the first nursing action?
What is administer oxygen?