How can you tell if you have a punctured lung?

Pneumothorax: There could be sharp chest pain, worse with cough or deep breath. Also you would have shortness of breath. Chest might be tight, and you would have a fast heart rate. You would tire easily, and lack of oxygen could make your skin turn slightly blue. There would be no breath sounds over the lung that has collapsed. You would need to get to an emergency room pronto!

Examination: The first line of diagnosis for large pneumothorax is a good history and physical examination (stethoscope). Most smaller pneumothoraces can be diagnosed with good 2 view chest x-ray series. Occasionally, a ct-scan may be necessary.