Question 1

how can i treat tension pneumothorax?

Accepted Answer

EMERGENCY chest tube: A tension pneumothorax is a life-threatening emergency that requires immediate treatment to prevent death.  This is caused by chest trauma leading to collapse of the lung.  If left untreated, the pressure in the chest cavity causes compression of the veins returning blood to the heart, leading to cardiovascular collapse and death.  This is easily treated by placing a chest tube.

Question 2

how debilitating is a tension pneumothorax?

Accepted Answer

Can be deadly: Tension pneumothorax occurs when pressure builds up in one side of the chest and collapses the lung. This is rapidly fatal and is treated as an emergency. Once it is released, a tube is left in the chest for a few days. After it is removed, people usually recover completely.

Question 3

what is something is is similar to a tension pneumothorax?

Accepted Answer

MI: The symptoms associated with a tension pneumothorax consist of chest pain, shortness of breath,  and hypotension if it continues to progress. The problem which mimics this is an acute myocardial infarction, or hesrt attack. A chest xray will be able to tellthe ddifference.

Question 4

what is the definition or description of: tension pneumothorax?

Accepted Answer

Tension pneumothorax: Pneumothorax literally mean gas (air) in the thorax, especially in the space around the lungs. 

What distinguishes a tension pneumothorax is that the gas is under pressure. This leads to rapid collapse of the lung and can squeeze the heart, leading inability of the heart to pump blood, hypotension and death.

Tension pneumothorax requires rapid medical treatement to vent the pressurized gas.

Question 5

how do you know who is most likely to get tension pneumothorax?

Accepted Answer

Size of air leak: Pnuemothorax (ptx) occurs when air escapes from the lung causing the lung to collapse.  This may occur after an injury to the lung or if a outpouching of the lung (a bleb) ruptures.  If too much air leaks out, the pressure in the chest can build up to the point that pressure is put on the heart and large blood vessels in the chest and cause tension ptx.  This can be fatal if not treated promptly.

Question 6

can you tell me for what cause of tension pneumothorax should a nurse check?

Accepted Answer

Many causes: If the pneumothorax creates a lot of pressure/air buildup in the chest, it can compress the veins draining into the heart and cause the heart to stop beating. This is called Tension Pneumothorax, and it is a medical emergency. If not promptly treated, it can cause death.

As far as causes, it can be out of nowhere (called spontaneous), or as a complication of a procedure like a central line.

Question 7

what is the cause of death in a tension pneumothorax?

Accepted Answer

Cardiac arrest: Usually, the buildup of pressure from the pneumothorax causes the heart to stop.

Question 8

what are symptoms of hemothorax vs. tension pneumothorax?

Accepted Answer

Chest pain: Hemothorax and tension pneumothorax will both present with chest pain and shortness of breath.  Both can also present with severely low blood pressure.  However, this can depend on the amount of blood lost in a hemothorax.  Both are considered surgical emergencies and need to be treated.

Question 9

what should you do if someone experiences tension pneumothorax while on a ventilator?

Accepted Answer

Immediate chest tube: A tension pneumothorax is bad and will cause respiratory failure if not corrected in a short time.  The best method is to put a tube in the side of the chest with the pneumothorax and suck out the air around the lung.  Being on a ventilator makes the condition more dangerous.

Question 10

is a traumatic pneumothorax the same as a tension pneumothorax?

Accepted Answer

No.: One can lead to the other, but they are not the same thing. A traumatic pneumothorax is one that occurs from any traumatic injury, as opposed to a spontaneous pneumothrorax. A tension pneumo is a type of pneumothorax that happens with leaking air gets trapped in the chest and pushes on the heart and opposite lung. It is a very serious condition that can cause death. It is luckily fairly rare.

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How can i treat tension pneumothorax?

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How debilitating is a tension pneumothorax?

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What is something is is similar to a tension pneumothorax?

A member asked:

What is the definition or description of: tension pneumothorax?

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How do you know who is most likely to get tension pneumothorax?

A member asked:

Can you tell me for what cause of tension pneumothorax should a nurse check?

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What is the cause of death in a tension pneumothorax?

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What are symptoms of hemothorax vs. tension pneumothorax?

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What should you do if someone experiences tension pneumothorax while on a ventilator?

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Is a traumatic pneumothorax the same as a tension pneumothorax?

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