Depending on the cause of the pneumothorax, a second goal may be to prevent recurrences. The methods for achieving these goals depend on the severity of the lung collapse and sometimes on your overall health. Treatment options may include observation, needle aspiration, chest tube insertion, nonsurgical repair or surgery.
Full Answer
What is the goal of treatment for a pneumothorax?
The goal in treating a pneumothorax is to relieve the pressure on your lung, allowing it to re-expand. Depending on the cause of the pneumothorax, a second goal may be to prevent recurrences. The methods for achieving these goals depend on the severity of the lung collapse and sometimes on your overall health.
What is a tension pneumothorax Quizlet?
Pneumothorax NCLEX Question Quiz. A. This condition happens when an opening to the intrapleural space creates a two-way valve which causes pressure to build up in the space leading to shifting of the mediastinum. B. A tension pneumothorax is a medical emergency and is treated with needle decompression.
What is pneumothorax on the NCLEX?
The NCLEX exam loves to ask questions about the different types of pneumothorax, major signs and symptoms, and nursing interventions . This quiz will test your nursing knowledge about pneumothorax in preparation for the NCLEX exam. 1. A patient is admitted with a chest wound and experiencing extreme dyspnea, tachycardia, and hypoxia.
How is a pneumothorax diagnosed?
A pneumothorax is generally diagnosed using a chest X-ray. In some cases, a computerized tomography (CT) scan may be needed to provide more-detailed images. Ultrasound imaging also may be used to identify a pneumothorax.
What is the main treatment of a large pneumothorax?
Treatment options may include observation, needle aspiration, chest tube insertion, nonsurgical repair or surgery. You may receive supplemental oxygen therapy to speed air reabsorption and lung expansion.
Which method of treatment is used to manage a traumatic pneumothorax?
Treatment of Traumatic Pneumothorax Treatment of most pneumothoraces is with insertion of a thoracostomy tube (eg, 28 Fr) into the 5th or 6th intercostal space anterior to the midaxillary line.
What is the most important intervention used to treat a traumatic open pneumothorax?
Immediate management of open pneumothorax is to cover the wound with a rectangular sterile occlusive dressing that is closed securely with tape on only 3 sides. Thus, the dressing prevents atmospheric air from entering the chest wall during inspiration but allows any intrapleural air out during expiration.
What is the surgical intervention to a patient with pneumothorax?
Video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery (VATS) is the widely accepted and preferred choice for the management of spontaneous pneumothorax due to better pain control and shorter hospital stay [7–10].
Can pneumothorax be treated with medication?
Medication Summary A tension pneumothorax requires treatment with rapidity. However, anesthetics and analgesics should be used if the patient is not in distress. The goals of pharmacotherapy are to reduce morbidity and to prevent complications.
How is emergency pneumothorax treated?
Emergency treatment of pneumothorax is bed rest, oxygen therapy, observation, simple aspiration, closed intercostal tube drainage and tube thoracostomy.
What is the main procedure used for large pleural effusions?
Thoracentesis is a procedure to remove fluid or air from around the lungs. A needle is put through the chest wall into the pleural space. The pleural space is the thin gap between the pleura of the lung and of the inner chest wall. The pleura is a double layer of membranes that surrounds the lungs.
How does a chest tube treat a pneumothorax?
Physicians use a chest tube into create negative pressure in the chest cavity and allow re-expansion of the lung. It helps remove air (pneumothorax), blood (hemothorax), fluid (pleural effusion or hydrothorax), chyle (chylothorax), or purulence (empyema) from the intrathoracic space.
Do you give oxygen to pneumothorax?
Oxygen therapy is one of the conservative treatments for spontaneous pneumothorax. It is widely accepted that oxygen therapy increases the resolution rate of spontaneous pneumothorax (1,2). The effects of oxygen therapy on pneumothorax have been demonstrated on theoretical grounds and in experimental studies (3,4).
What causes a pneumothorax?
2. SEVERE ASTHMA ATTACK that the air enters into the mediastinum which then ruptures into the pleural space, which in turn causes a pneumothorax
What is a partial collapsed lung?
partial or complete collapsed lung d/t abnormal accumulation of air in the space between the lungs and the chest cavity (pleural space)
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What is the goal of pneumothorax?
The goal in treating a pneumothorax is to relieve the pressure on your lung, allowing it to re-expand. Depending on the cause of the pneumothorax, a second goal may be to prevent recurrences. The methods for achieving these goals depend on the severity of the lung collapse and sometimes on your overall health.
How to diagnose pneumothorax?
Diagnosis. A pneumothorax is generally diagnosed using a chest X-ray. In some cases, a computerized tomography (CT) scan may be needed to provide more-detailed images. Ultrasound imaging also may be used to identify a pneumothorax.
How to treat a collapsed lung?
Needle aspiration. A hollow needle with a small flexible tube (catheter) is inserted between the ribs into the air-filled space that's pressing on the collapsed lung. Then the doctor removes the needle, attaches a syringe to the catheter and pulls out the excess air. The catheter may be left in for a few hours to ensure the lung is re-expanded and the pneumothorax does not recur.
What activities can you not do after pneumothorax surgery?
You may need to avoid certain activities that put extra pressure on your lungs for a time after your pneumothorax heals. Examples include flying, scuba diving or playing a wind instrument. Talk to your doctor about the type and length of your activity restrictions.
How to seal a leaky lung?
Using a substance to irritate the tissues around the lung so that they'll stick together and seal any leaks. This can be done through the chest tube, but it may be done during surgery.
How long does it take for a lung to collapse?
This may take several weeks.
What is a flexible chest tube?
A flexible chest tube is inserted into the air-filled space and may be attached to a one-way valve device that continuously removes air from the chest cavity until your lung is re-expanded and healed.
What is the only cause of tension pneumothorax?
D. An open pneumothorax is the only cause of a tension pneumothorax.
Where are the bumps on a pneumothorax?
These “bulging” areas are located on the patient’s neck, face, and abdomen. On palpation on these areas, you note they feel “crunchy”.
What causes pressure to build up in the mediastinum?
A. This condition happens when an opening to the intrapleural space creates a two-way valve which causes pressure to build up in the space leading to shifting of the mediastinum.
Where is the chest wound located?
The chest wound is located on the left mid-axillary area of the chest. On assessment, you note there is unequal rise and fall of the chest with absent breath sounds on the left side. You also note a "sucking" sound when the patient inhales and exhales. The patient's chest x-ray shows a pneumothorax.
Does smoking cause pneumothorax?
C. Smoking increases the chances of a patient developing a spontaneous pneumothorax.