Chest Injuries

This set of flashcards contains key vocabulary terms and their definitions related to chest injuries, useful for review in the context of emergency medical care.

Hemothorax

A condition involving the accumulation of blood in the pleural space due to bleeding from lung or great vessel injuries.

Pneumothorax

An accumulation of air in the pleural cavity which can cause the lung on that side to collapse.

Cardiac Tamponade

Compression of the heart due to fluid buildup in the pericardial sac, leading to decreased cardiac output.

Flail Chest

A condition where two or more adjacent ribs are fractured in multiple places, resulting in a detached segment of the chest wall.

Open Pneumothorax

A wound in the chest wall that allows air to enter and exit, producing a 'sucking' sound during respiration.

Closed Chest Injury

An injury to the chest where the skin is not broken, typically resulting from blunt trauma.

Commotio Cordis

A blunt chest injury that occurs from a direct blow to the heart during a critical part of the cardiac cycle, potentially causing cardiac arrest.

Tension Pneumothorax

A severe condition where air accumulates in the pleural space, causing increased pressure that collapses the lung and compresses the heart.

Flutter Valve

A one-way valve that allows air to leave the chest cavity but not return, used in the treatment of open chest wounds.

Paradoxical Motion

The abnormal movement of a flail segment of the chest wall, moving in during inhalation and out during exhalation.

Simple Pneumothorax

A pneumothorax that does not result in major physiological changes and is generally less severe.

Pulmonary Contusion

An injury to lung tissue causing bleeding and swelling, often resulting from blunt trauma.

Tachypnea

Rapid breathing that may indicate a respiratory problem, commonly seen in patients with chest injuries.

Sucking Chest Wound

Another term for open pneumothorax, where air flows in and out of a wound in the chest wall.

Crepitus

A grating or grinding sensation felt when broken bone ends rub together, often indicating fractures.

Occlusive Dressing

An airtight dressing used to cover wounds and prevent air from entering, critical for managing open chest injuries.

Traumatic Asphyxia

A condition resulting from severe compression of the chest, causing blood to be forced from the heart into the veins of the head and neck.