chapter 30: chest injuries

commotio cordis

blunt chest injury caused by sudden, direct blow to the chest that occurs only during the criitcal portion of a person’s heart beat

cardiac tamponade (pericardial tamponade)

compression of the heart as the result of buildup or blood or other fluid in the pericardial sac, leading to decreased cardiac output

flail chest

condition in which 2 or more adjacent ribs are fractured in two or more places or in association with the fx of the sternum so that segment of the chest wall is effectively detached from the rest of the thoracic cage

flutter valve

one way valve that allow air to leave the chest but not return; formed by taping three sides of an occlusive dressing, leaving 4th side open as a valve, also commercial vented valves

myocardial contusion

bruising of the heart muscle

occlusive dressing

air right dressing, the protects wound form air and bacteria; commercial vented allow air to passively escape from the chest, unvented used petrolatum gauze, aluminum foil or plastic

open pneumothroax

sucking chest wound: chest wall wound that air is passing through on inspiration and expiration j

paradoxical motion

motion of portin of the chest wall that is detached in a flail chest- inhalation chest goes in, exhalation chest goes out (opposite than normal breathing)

pericardium

fibrous sac that surrounds the heart

pneumothroax

accumulation of air or gas in the pleural cavity

pulmonary consution

injury or bruising of lung tissue that results in hemorrhage

simple pneumothorax

any pneumothorax that is free from significant physiologic changes and does not cause drastic changes in vital signs of a pt

spontaneous pneumothroax

pneumothorax that occurs when a weak area on the lung ruptures in the absence of major injury, allowing air to leak into the pleural space

sucking chest wound

open or penetrating chest wall wound through which air passes during inspiration and expriation creating a sucking sound; aka open pneumothroax

tachypnea

rapid respirations

tension penumothroax

accumulation of air or gas in the pleural cavity that progressively increases pressure in the chest that interferes with cardiac function and potentially fatal status

traumatic asphyxia

a pattern of injuries seen after a severe force is applied to the chest, forcing blood fromthe great essels back into the head and neck

vented chest seal

an occlusive dressing designed to allow air to escape through the dressing but not be drawn back in (commercial brand)