Question

List the anatomic alterations of the lungs associated with pneumothorax

Describe the causes of pneumothorax

List the cardiopulmonary clinical manifestations associated with pneumothorax

Describe the general management of pneumothorax

Answer 1

1) List the anatomic alterations of the lung associated with pneumothorax .

* Pneumothorax is the condition which occurs when gas accumulates in the pleural space .

* When the gas starts to enter into the pleural space then visceral and parietal pleura of the lung gets seperate .

* This stimulate the natural tendency of the lung to recoil or collapse and also enhance the natural tendency of the chest wall to move outward or expand.

* When the lung collapse ,the alveoli become compressed and atelectasis occur .

* The major pathological or structural changes associated with pneumothorax include ;

. Lung collapse

. Athelectasis

. Expansion of the chest wall ( it occurs in case of tension pneumothorax )

. Compression of the great vein and decreased cardiac venous return .

These are the anatomic changes occurs in lung as a result of pneumothorax .

2) Describe the causes of pneumothorax ?

Pneumothorax occur when the air enters in between the lung and chest wall and making the lungs to collapse .

Air or gas can enters into the pleural space through 3 ways ;

. From the lungs through a perforation of the visceral pleura

. From the atmosphere through the perforation of the chest wall and parietal pleura.

. From the gas forming microorganism in the pleural space .

Mainly the pneumothorax is classified into 2 type based on the ways the gas enters into the pleural space they are :

Open pneumothorax - the gas present in the pleural space have direct contact with the atmosphere

Closed pneumothorax - the gas present in the pleural space dose not have direct contact with the atmosphere.

3 ) list the cardiopulmonary clinical manifestation associated with the pneumothorax

* Diminished breath sound - due to accumulation of gas in the pleural space .

* Shortness of breath - due to air accumulation in pleural space .

*Hyperresonant percussion notes are produced in the affected area - this is because the ratio of extrapulmonary gas to the solid tissue will increase in case of pneumothorax .

* Chest radiography will show ;

Increased translucency ( dark lung fields ) on the affected side . in tension pneumothorax mediastinal shift occurs to the unaffected side it shows lung collapse and atelectasis it show depressed diaphragm on the affected side .

* Increased diameter of the chest - due to accumulation of air in the pleural space

4) Describe the general management of pneumothorax ?

The management of pneumothorax will vary and it is mainly depend upon the degree of lung collapse .

* Provide only bed rest and limit the physical activity of the client in case if the pneumothorax is small about 15-20%

* If the pneumothorax is larger than 20%the evacuation will be done to remove the gas

* In case of less severe cases needle aspiration done to withdraw the air .

* In case of more severe cases thoracostomy chest tube is inserted into the pleural cavity for the evacuation of air and to enhance the re-expansion of the affected lung .

* Oxygen therapy -in case of hypoxemia,shortness of breath or diminished breathing

* Lung expansion therapy - these are initiated to manage atelectasis associated with pneumothorax

* Physiotherapy - it helps to reinflate the atelectatic lung area , improve ventilation ,increase oxygenation ,maintain airway clearance and improve exercise tolerance .