Traumatic Pneumothorax

GENERAL INFORMATION:

What is it?

• A traumatic (trah-mah-tik) pneumothorax (new-mo-thor-aks) is the collapse of all or part of a lung. It happens when you have an injury that allows air into the area between the lung and the chest wall. The lung deflates because the air between the lung and the chest wall prevents the lung from filling up with air when you take a breath.
  
  
• A traumatic pneumothorax is caused by an accident of some kind. Because of this, other serious injuries to the chest, head, neck, or abdomen (belly) may have happened as well. You may have been taken to the emergency room after the accident causing your pneumothorax. After being treated in the ER you may be taken to the intensive care unit or another nursing unit. It may take days to weeks for the pneumothorax to heal with treatment.

Causes: Following are some of the causes of a pneumothorax:

• A car accident.
  
  
• An accident during a medical procedure, such as hitting the lung while putting in a pacemaker.
  
  
• Being shot with a gun.
  
  
• Fall from a height.

Signs and Symptoms: You may have one or more of the following symptoms if you have a traumatic pneumothorax.

• Bad chest pain especially when you inhale (breathe in).
  
  
• Blood in your sputum (spit).
  
  
• Coughing.
  
  
• Fast breathing.
  
  
• Fingernails, toenails, and lips may turn blue if you are not getting enough oxygen to your body.
  
  
• Trouble breathing.
  
  
• Uneven chest if bones are broken and poking inward.

Care:

• A traumatic pneumothorax can be treated and cured most of the time. You will need to stay in the hospital for tests and treatment. Ask your caregiver for information about traumatic pneumothorax to help you understand about the different tests and treatments.
  
  
• You will have the amount of oxygen in your blood measured by a pulse oximeter (oks-ih-mih-ter). Then you will be given extra oxygen if you need it. Chest X-rays are pictures taken of the bones of your chest and spine, and your lungs and heart. Caregivers use it to see if you have broken ribs. Caregivers will use this x-ray to look traumatic pneumothorax, or collapsed lung. Chest x-rays may also show fluid around the heart and lungs.

Treatment Options: Your treatment options may change if your health problem is not being controlled. This is often decided after you have tests. You may have some of the following treatments alone or together.

• Blood Transfusion (trans-few-shun): You may need a blood transfusion if your blood count is low, or because you have lost a lot of blood.
  
  
• Chest Tap: This may also be called a thoracentesis (thor-a-sen-te-sus). A needle may be put between ribs to see if there is bleeding in your chest or lungs. The needle can also be used to take air out from around your lungs.
  
  
• Chest Tube(s): These are tubes that are put into your chest. Chest tubes remove air, blood, or fluid from around your lungs or heart.
  
  
• Pain Medicine: Caregivers may give you medicine to take away or lessen your pain. This medicine may be given in your IV, as a shot, or by mouth. Tell caregivers if the pain does not go away or comes back.
  
  
• Oxygen: You may need extra oxygen to help you breathe easier. It may be given through a plastic mask over your mouth and nose. Or, it may be given through nasal prongs (short, thin tubes in your nose).

CARE AGREEMENT:

You have the right to help plan your care. To help with this plan, you must learn about your health condition and how it may be treated. You can then discuss treatment options with your caregivers. Work with them to decide what care may be used to treat you. You always have the right to refuse treatment.

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