Pneumothorax

The patient was admitted principally for a hemo-pneumothorax. A pneumothorax is when there is a partial or complete collapse of the lungs because of air entering through the pleural space around the lungs. Air entering the lungs through the parietal or visceral spaces cause a decrease in negative pressure, which causes the lungs to collapse because there is no negative pressure to keep the lungs expanded. This in turn creates an ineffective breathing pattern. The hemo-pneumothorax signifies that blood has been introduced into the thoracic cavity, which increases more pressure onto the lungs at the puncture/crush/trauma site, thereby decreasing lung capacity.
Clinical manifestations of a pneumothorax may include acute pain at trauma site, and thoracic area in general, an inability to breathe normally, and an asymmetrical trachea and bronchioles. The patient arrived at the ER with fractured ribs, a fractured clavicle, and a hemo-pneumothorax. The patient stated during the interview that before arriving to, and while in the ER, it was extremely difficult to breathe, and the pain in his thoracic region was “unbearable.” There was no evidence of tracheal deviation, however, because of the imbalance in air distribution, the heart, along with large blood vessels of the cardiovascular system may have displaced.
Diagnostic studies that are pertinent to a patient who arrives with a pneumothorax might include blood gases, hemoglobin (which would determine hypoxia,) radiography to identify a collapsed lung, and a CT, if the pneumothorax cannot be seen with usual radiography. C.N. came to the hospital on Janurary 14th with fairly normal values, however by the 15th, H+H began to drop. A pneumothorax is a life threatening event, and should be treated immediately. Either a large bore needle or a chest tube is placed into the pleural space to suction out the air in the lung space. A hemothorax is when blood fills the pleural space. The same method of suctioning would be