Podcast
Questions and Answers
What percentage of blunt trauma can be managed without surgery?
What percentage of blunt trauma can be managed without surgery?
Chest injuries account for approximately 30,000 deaths per year in the United States.
Chest injuries account for approximately 30,000 deaths per year in the United States.
False (B)
What are the two main types of mechanism of injury for thoracic trauma?
What are the two main types of mechanism of injury for thoracic trauma?
Blunt and penetrating injuries
Morbidity and mortality factors in thoracic trauma primarily depend on the extent of __________ injury.
Morbidity and mortality factors in thoracic trauma primarily depend on the extent of __________ injury.
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Which of the following is NOT a classification of chest injuries?
Which of the following is NOT a classification of chest injuries?
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Pericardial tamponade can occur as a result of penetrating thoracic trauma.
Pericardial tamponade can occur as a result of penetrating thoracic trauma.
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Match the following terms related to thoracic trauma with their descriptions:
Match the following terms related to thoracic trauma with their descriptions:
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What is the primary concern when assessing for cardiac injury in thoracic trauma?
What is the primary concern when assessing for cardiac injury in thoracic trauma?
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Which assessment finding is often not evident in hemorrhagic shock?
Which assessment finding is often not evident in hemorrhagic shock?
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Tracheal deviation to the unaffected side is a common finding in hemothorax.
Tracheal deviation to the unaffected side is a common finding in hemothorax.
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What type of management is indicated for hypovolemia in hemothorax?
What type of management is indicated for hypovolemia in hemothorax?
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A pulmonary contusion is commonly associated with __________.
A pulmonary contusion is commonly associated with __________.
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Match the following findings with their associated conditions:
Match the following findings with their associated conditions:
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Which of the following is NOT a management step in addressing hemothorax?
Which of the following is NOT a management step in addressing hemothorax?
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Pulmonary contusions have a high incidence of extra thoracic injuries associated with them.
Pulmonary contusions have a high incidence of extra thoracic injuries associated with them.
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What is the definition of hemopneumothorax?
What is the definition of hemopneumothorax?
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What is the role of the visceral layer of the pericardium?
What is the role of the visceral layer of the pericardium?
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Common causes of pulmonary contusion include __________ trauma to the chest.
Common causes of pulmonary contusion include __________ trauma to the chest.
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What vital sign is typically reduced in hemothorax due to shock?
What vital sign is typically reduced in hemothorax due to shock?
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Pericardial tamponade can occur without any trauma to the heart.
Pericardial tamponade can occur without any trauma to the heart.
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What amount of blood entering the pericardial space is suggested to develop pericardial tamponade?
What amount of blood entering the pericardial space is suggested to develop pericardial tamponade?
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The toughness of the fibrous sac that encloses the heart is known as the ______.
The toughness of the fibrous sac that encloses the heart is known as the ______.
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What happens to stroke volume when there is increased intrapericardial pressure?
What happens to stroke volume when there is increased intrapericardial pressure?
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Removal of as little as 20 mL of blood can improve cardiac output in cases of pericardial tamponade.
Removal of as little as 20 mL of blood can improve cardiac output in cases of pericardial tamponade.
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What can happen to myocardial perfusion due to pressure effects during pericardial tamponade?
What can happen to myocardial perfusion due to pressure effects during pericardial tamponade?
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Increased intrapericardial pressure can lead to decreased ______ and cardiac output.
Increased intrapericardial pressure can lead to decreased ______ and cardiac output.
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Match the following terms with their definitions:
Match the following terms with their definitions:
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Identify a possible consequence of ischemic dysfunction as a result of pericardial tamponade.
Identify a possible consequence of ischemic dysfunction as a result of pericardial tamponade.
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Which of the following is a common respiratory complication associated with flail chest?
Which of the following is a common respiratory complication associated with flail chest?
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Which of the following is a common assessment finding in a closed pneumothorax?
Which of the following is a common assessment finding in a closed pneumothorax?
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Flail chest involves paradoxical chest wall movement.
Flail chest involves paradoxical chest wall movement.
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What is the typical management for a patient with flail chest?
What is the typical management for a patient with flail chest?
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An open pneumothorax usually results from blunt trauma such as car accidents.
An open pneumothorax usually results from blunt trauma such as car accidents.
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What is the primary management step for a closed pneumothorax?
What is the primary management step for a closed pneumothorax?
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A severely displaced sternal fracture may cause a __________.
A severely displaced sternal fracture may cause a __________.
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What percentage of blunt chest trauma patients experiences sternal fractures?
What percentage of blunt chest trauma patients experiences sternal fractures?
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In an open pneumothorax, as air accumulates in the pleural space, the lung on the affected side __________.
In an open pneumothorax, as air accumulates in the pleural space, the lung on the affected side __________.
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Cardiac tamponade has no significant mortality association with sternal fractures.
Cardiac tamponade has no significant mortality association with sternal fractures.
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Match the following conditions with their characteristics:
Match the following conditions with their characteristics:
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List two factors contributing to morbidity and mortality in sternal fractures.
List two factors contributing to morbidity and mortality in sternal fractures.
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The management of flail chest may include assessing for the development of a __________.
The management of flail chest may include assessing for the development of a __________.
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Match the injury with its associated complication:
Match the injury with its associated complication:
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What intervention is controversial in the management of flail chest?
What intervention is controversial in the management of flail chest?
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What is the primary characteristic of blunt thoracic injuries?
What is the primary characteristic of blunt thoracic injuries?
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What percentage of penetrating trauma cases typically requires surgical intervention?
What percentage of penetrating trauma cases typically requires surgical intervention?
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In terms of trauma deaths, where do chest injuries rank?
In terms of trauma deaths, where do chest injuries rank?
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What type of injury is least likely to occur with penetrating trauma?
What type of injury is least likely to occur with penetrating trauma?
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Which mechanism of injury is not associated with blunt thoracic injuries?
Which mechanism of injury is not associated with blunt thoracic injuries?
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Which of the following statements best describes the mortality rate associated with thoracic trauma?
Which of the following statements best describes the mortality rate associated with thoracic trauma?
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What is a common finding when assessing penetrating thoracic injuries?
What is a common finding when assessing penetrating thoracic injuries?
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Which of the following most accurately describes the management of thoracic injuries?
Which of the following most accurately describes the management of thoracic injuries?
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What occurs if the chest wound opening in an open pneumothorax is larger than two-thirds the diameter of the trachea?
What occurs if the chest wound opening in an open pneumothorax is larger than two-thirds the diameter of the trachea?
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In an open pneumothorax, what is a direct consequence of air accumulating in the pleural space?
In an open pneumothorax, what is a direct consequence of air accumulating in the pleural space?
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Which assessment finding indicates severe hypoventilation during an open pneumothorax?
Which assessment finding indicates severe hypoventilation during an open pneumothorax?
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What is the significance of absent or decreased breath sounds on the affected side in closed pneumothorax assessment?
What is the significance of absent or decreased breath sounds on the affected side in closed pneumothorax assessment?
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Which factor is most directly related to morbidity and mortality in open pneumothorax cases?
Which factor is most directly related to morbidity and mortality in open pneumothorax cases?
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What is a critical effect of increased intrapericardial pressure in pericardial tamponade?
What is a critical effect of increased intrapericardial pressure in pericardial tamponade?
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How much blood accumulation in the pericardial space can lead to the development of pericardial tamponade?
How much blood accumulation in the pericardial space can lead to the development of pericardial tamponade?
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What physiological response can result from ischemic dysfunction due to pericardial tamponade?
What physiological response can result from ischemic dysfunction due to pericardial tamponade?
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What is the role of the pericardial sac in relation to the heart?
What is the role of the pericardial sac in relation to the heart?
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What immediate effect occurs when 20 mL of blood is removed from the pericardial space?
What immediate effect occurs when 20 mL of blood is removed from the pericardial space?
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What is a likely consequence of tears in the heart chamber walls due to trauma?
What is a likely consequence of tears in the heart chamber walls due to trauma?
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What impact does pericardial tamponade have on diastolic pressure?
What impact does pericardial tamponade have on diastolic pressure?
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What structure forms the epicardium in relation to the pericardial layers?
What structure forms the epicardium in relation to the pericardial layers?
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What is an important factor that decreases stroke volume during pericardial tamponade?
What is an important factor that decreases stroke volume during pericardial tamponade?
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What anatomical feature attaches the pericardium to the great vessels of the heart?
What anatomical feature attaches the pericardium to the great vessels of the heart?
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What is a primary consequence of pulmonary contusion following blunt chest trauma?
What is a primary consequence of pulmonary contusion following blunt chest trauma?
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Which assessment finding is most indicative of flail chest?
Which assessment finding is most indicative of flail chest?
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Which injury is commonly associated with increased morbidity and mortality in patients with sternal fractures?
Which injury is commonly associated with increased morbidity and mortality in patients with sternal fractures?
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What mechanism primarily leads to flail chest following blunt chest trauma?
What mechanism primarily leads to flail chest following blunt chest trauma?
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Which finding would likely be observed in a patient with severe sternal fractures?
Which finding would likely be observed in a patient with severe sternal fractures?
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What is the role of positive-pressure ventilation in management of flail chest?
What is the role of positive-pressure ventilation in management of flail chest?
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In terms of mortality risk, what condition is often linked with a sternal fracture?
In terms of mortality risk, what condition is often linked with a sternal fracture?
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What is the significance of adequate ventilation in patients with a flail chest?
What is the significance of adequate ventilation in patients with a flail chest?
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What condition can lead to paradoxical chest wall movement in a patient with rib fractures?
What condition can lead to paradoxical chest wall movement in a patient with rib fractures?
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How does underlying pulmonary contusion affect patient outcomes in flail chest cases?
How does underlying pulmonary contusion affect patient outcomes in flail chest cases?
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What is the primary pathophysiological feature of hemothorax?
What is the primary pathophysiological feature of hemothorax?
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What assessment finding is indicative of hyporesonance in hemothorax?
What assessment finding is indicative of hyporesonance in hemothorax?
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Which statement best describes the findings associated with pulmonary contusion?
Which statement best describes the findings associated with pulmonary contusion?
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Why might tracheal deviation occur in cases of hemothorax?
Why might tracheal deviation occur in cases of hemothorax?
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What volume of blood loss is often associated with significant hypotension in hemothorax?
What volume of blood loss is often associated with significant hypotension in hemothorax?
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What common cause is associated with the occurrence of pulmonary contusion?
What common cause is associated with the occurrence of pulmonary contusion?
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Which of the following is a critical management step for hemothorax?
Which of the following is a critical management step for hemothorax?
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What are the clinical signs of hypovolemia associated with hemothorax?
What are the clinical signs of hypovolemia associated with hemothorax?
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In a hemopneumothorax, which physiological event typically occurs?
In a hemopneumothorax, which physiological event typically occurs?
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What assessment finding is least likely to be associated with a patient experiencing a pulmonary contusion?
What assessment finding is least likely to be associated with a patient experiencing a pulmonary contusion?
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Flashcards
Chest Injuries (Thoracic Trauma)
Chest Injuries (Thoracic Trauma)
Injuries to the chest, a major cause of trauma deaths.
Blunt Thoracic Trauma
Blunt Thoracic Trauma
Chest injury caused by a large force distributed over a wider area.
Penetrating Thoracic Trauma
Penetrating Thoracic Trauma
Chest injury caused by a sharp object piercing the chest wall.
Mechanism of Injury
Mechanism of Injury
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Trauma Deaths
Trauma Deaths
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Leading cause of trauma deaths (thoracic)
Leading cause of trauma deaths (thoracic)
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Classifications of Chest Injuries
Classifications of Chest Injuries
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Deceleration
Deceleration
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Pericardial Tamponade
Pericardial Tamponade
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Pericardium
Pericardium
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Blood Leakage (Pericardial Tamponade)
Blood Leakage (Pericardial Tamponade)
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Intrapericardial pressure
Intrapericardial pressure
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Stroke Volume
Stroke Volume
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Cardiac Output
Cardiac Output
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Myocardial Perfusion
Myocardial Perfusion
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Ischemic Dysfunction
Ischemic Dysfunction
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Infarction
Infarction
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20mL blood removal
20mL blood removal
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Hemothorax
Hemothorax
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Tachypnea
Tachypnea
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Dyspnea
Dyspnea
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Cyanosis
Cyanosis
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Diminished Breath Sounds
Diminished Breath Sounds
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Hyporesonance (Dullness) on Percussion
Hyporesonance (Dullness) on Percussion
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Hypotension
Hypotension
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Narrowed Pulse Pressure
Narrowed Pulse Pressure
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Tracheal Deviation (Rare)
Tracheal Deviation (Rare)
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Tube Thoracostomy
Tube Thoracostomy
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Closed Pneumothorax
Closed Pneumothorax
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Open Pneumothorax
Open Pneumothorax
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What causes Open Pneumothorax?
What causes Open Pneumothorax?
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Severity of Open Pneumothorax
Severity of Open Pneumothorax
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Why is Open Pneumothorax dangerous?
Why is Open Pneumothorax dangerous?
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Flail Chest: Cause
Flail Chest: Cause
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Flail Chest: Consequences
Flail Chest: Consequences
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Flail Chest: Signs
Flail Chest: Signs
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Sternal Fractures: Cause
Sternal Fractures: Cause
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Sternal Fractures: Additional Injuries
Sternal Fractures: Additional Injuries
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Sternal Fractures: Complications
Sternal Fractures: Complications
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Flail Chest: Management
Flail Chest: Management
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Flail Chest: Treatment Goal
Flail Chest: Treatment Goal
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Sternal Fractures: Impact
Sternal Fractures: Impact
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Sternal Fractures: Mortality Risk
Sternal Fractures: Mortality Risk
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What are the two main classifications of thoracic trauma?
What are the two main classifications of thoracic trauma?
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What is the most common cause of chest injuries?
What is the most common cause of chest injuries?
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Why are penetrating injuries more dangerous?
Why are penetrating injuries more dangerous?
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What is a Flail Chest?
What is a Flail Chest?
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What is the most dangerous aspect of a Flail Chest?
What is the most dangerous aspect of a Flail Chest?
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What is a Pneumothorax?
What is a Pneumothorax?
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What are the two types of pneumothorax?
What are the two types of pneumothorax?
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What is a Hemothorax?
What is a Hemothorax?
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Flail Chest
Flail Chest
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Paradoxical Chest Movement
Paradoxical Chest Movement
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What causes Flail Chest?
What causes Flail Chest?
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Why is Flail Chest dangerous?
Why is Flail Chest dangerous?
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Sternal Fractures
Sternal Fractures
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What is the pericardium?
What is the pericardium?
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What causes pericardial tamponade?
What causes pericardial tamponade?
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What is the association of Sternal Fractures?
What is the association of Sternal Fractures?
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How much blood is needed for tamponade?
How much blood is needed for tamponade?
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Why is a Sternal Fracture a major concern?
Why is a Sternal Fracture a major concern?
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What is the typical management for Flail Chest?
What is the typical management for Flail Chest?
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Effect of increased pericardial pressure?
Effect of increased pericardial pressure?
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How does a positive-pressure ventilator help in Flail Chest?
How does a positive-pressure ventilator help in Flail Chest?
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Impact on myocardial perfusion?
Impact on myocardial perfusion?
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What are the possible complications of Flail Chest?
What are the possible complications of Flail Chest?
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What is stroke volume?
What is stroke volume?
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What is cardiac output?
What is cardiac output?
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How does removing blood help?
How does removing blood help?
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What is infarction?
What is infarction?
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Hemothorax: What is it?
Hemothorax: What is it?
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Hemothorax: Signs
Hemothorax: Signs
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Hemothorax: Management
Hemothorax: Management
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Hemopneumothorax: What is it?
Hemopneumothorax: What is it?
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Pulmonary Contusion: What is it?
Pulmonary Contusion: What is it?
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Pulmonary Contusion: Causes
Pulmonary Contusion: Causes
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Pulmonary Contusion: Incidence
Pulmonary Contusion: Incidence
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Pulmonary Contusion: Associated Injuries
Pulmonary Contusion: Associated Injuries
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Pulmonary Contusion: Management
Pulmonary Contusion: Management
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Pulmonary Contusion: Key Point
Pulmonary Contusion: Key Point
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Study Notes
Thoracic Trauma
- Thoracic trauma is responsible for more than 20% of all traumatic deaths, regardless of the mechanism.
- It accounts for approximately 16,000 deaths per year in the United States.
- Chest injuries are the second leading cause of trauma deaths each year.
- Most (90% of blunt trauma and 70% to 85% of penetrating trauma) thoracic injuries can be managed without surgery.
Types of Thoracic Injuries
- Skeletal injury: Damage to the bones of the chest.
- Pulmonary injury: Damage to the lungs.
- Heart and great vessel injury: Damage to the heart or major blood vessels.
- Diaphragmatic injury: Damage to the diaphragm.
Mechanism of Injury
- Blunt thoracic injuries: Forces are distributed over a large area. Subtypes include deceleration and compression.
- Penetrating thoracic injuries: Forces are usually distributed over a small area, with injured organs typically along the path of the penetrating object.
Injury Patterns
- Open injuries: Wounds that break the skin. Example: penetrating trauma
- Closed injuries: Injuries that do not break the skin. Example: blunt trauma
Types of Injuries
- Cardiovascular
- Pleural and pulmonary
- Mediastinal
- Diaphragmatic
- Esophageal
- Penetrating cardiac trauma
- Blast injury
- Confined spaces
- Shock wave
- Thoracic cage
Thoracic Anatomy
- Skin, muscles
- Respiratory muscles: Contract in response to phrenic and intercostal nerve stimulation.
- Bones:
- Thoracic cage
- Sternum
- Thoracic spine
- Trachea
- Bronchi
- Lungs
Vascular Anatomy
- Heart:
- Ventricles
- Atria
- Valves
- Pericardium
- Arteries: Aorta, carotid, subclavian, intercostal
- Veins: Superior vena cava, inferior vena cava, subclavian, internal jugular
- Pulmonary: Arteries and veins
Mediastinum
- The area between the lungs.
- Contains the heart, trachea, vena cavae, pulmonary artery, aorta, esophagus, and lymph nodes.
Thoracic Physiology
- Ventilation: The mechanical process of moving air into and out of the lungs. (breathing)
- Respiration: The exchange of oxygen and carbon dioxide between the outside atmosphere and the body cells.
Pathophysiology of Thoracic Trauma
- Cardiac output impairments:
- Blood loss
- Increased intrapleural pressure
- Blood in the pericardial sac
- Myocardial valve damage
- Vascular disruption
- Gas exchange impairments:
- Atelectasis
- Contused lung tissue
- Respiratory tract disruption
Assessment Findings-Thoracic Injury
- Pulse: Deficit, tachycardia, bradycardia.
- Blood pressure: Narrowed pulse pressure, hypertension, hypotension, pulsus paradoxus.
- Respiratory rate and effort: Tachypnea, bradypnea, labored breathing, retractions.
- Skin: Diaphoresis, pallor, cyanosis, open wounds, ecchymosis, other evidence of trauma.
- Neck: Position of trachea, subcutaneous emphysema, jugular venous distention, penetrating wounds.
- Chest: Contusions, tenderness, asymmetry, lung sounds (absent or decreased, bilateral), location (bowel sounds in hemothorax), abnormal percussion findings (hyperresonance-air, hyporesonance-fluid).
- ECG: ST/T wave elevation or depression, conduction disturbances, rhythm disturbances.
- History: Dyspnea, chest pain, associated symptoms, other areas of pain or discomfort, symptoms/issues before the incident, past history of cardiorespiratory disease, use of restraint in motor vehicle crash.
Management of Thoracic Trauma
- Airway and ventilation: High-concentration oxygen, positive-pressure ventilation, endotracheal intubation, needle cricothyrotomy, surgical cricothyrotomy, pleural decompression, occlude open wounds, stabilize chest wall.
- Circulation: Manage cardiac dysrhythmias, intravenous access.
- Pharmacological: Analgesics, antidysrhythmics, stabilize chest wall.
- Nonpharmacological: Needle thoracostomy, tube thoracostomy, pericardiocentesis.
- Transport considerations: Appropriate mode and facility.
Skeletal Injuries-Specific
-
Clavicular fractures:
- Clavicle is the most commonly fractured bone.
- Usually caused by children falling on their shoulders or outstretched arms, or by athletes in contact sports.
- Treatment: Immobilization with sling and swathe or strap.
- Complications: Injury to the subclavian vein or artery.
-
Rib fractures:
- Less frequent until adult life, often in elderly patients.
- Significant force is usually required.
- Ribs 3-8 are most frequently fractured due to their thinness and lack of protection.
- Pathophysiology: blunt trauma, bowing effect, midshaft fractures.
- Complications: respiratory restriction, intercostal vessel injury, associated complications (rupture of the aorta, tracheobronchial tree injury, vascular injury).
- Assessment findings: localized pain, pain worsening with movement, coughing, and deep breathing.
-
Multiple Rib Fractures: Assessment findings: Point tenderness, crepitus or audible crunch, splinting on respiration.
Other Thoracic Injuries (Specific)
-
Flail Chest:
- An injury involving two or more adjacent ribs fractured in two or more places, creating a free-floating segment of the chest wall.
- Usually from direct impact
- Pathophysiology: Respiratory failure (underlying pulmonary contusion), associated intrathoracic injury, inadequate bellows action of the chest.
- Assessment findings: Pleuritic chest pain, splinting of affected side, tachypnea, respiratory distress, chest wall contusion, paradoxical chest wall movement, crepitus, tachycardia, possible bundle branch block on ECG.
- Management: Airway and ventilation (high-concentration oxygen, positive-pressure ventilation), stabilize the flail segment (controversial).
-
Sternal Fractures:
- A significant cause of morbidity and mortality in blunt trauma patients.
- Occurs in 5% to 8% of patients with blunt chest trauma.
- Frequent causes include deceleration compression injuries, steering wheel injuries, dashboard impacts, blows to the chest, and severe hyperflexion of the thoracic cage.
- Associated injuries are common (cardiac/lung injury), making diagnosis subtle and frequently missed in initial examination.
- Management: Airway and ventilation, restricting fluid, nonpharmacological (allowing chest wall to splint itself), appropriate transport considerations.
-
Pulmonary Injury-Pneumothorax:
- Partial or complete collapse of the lung.
- Closed pneumothorax- can occur in the absence of rib fractures.
- Open pneumothorax- typically the result of penetrating trauma e.g., gunshot wounds, knife wounds, impaled objects, motor-vehicle collisions, falls.
- Pathophysiology: presence of air in the pleural space; lung expansion restriction in inspiration. Airway pressure increase that ruptures alveoli.
- Assessment findings: Tachypnea, respiratory distress, absent/decreased breath sounds, hyperresonance, decreased chest wall movement, dyspnea, chest pain, and slight pleuritic pain. -Management: airway and ventilation (high-concentration oxygen, positive-pressure ventilation), non-pharmacological (needle thoracostomy), and transport considerations.
-
Tension Pneumothorax:
- A life-threatening condition of increased pressure in the pleural space due to trapped air that cannot escape.
- Associated injuries include penetrating and blunt trauma.
- Pathophysiology: (air enters pleural space, but can't exit during exhalation, increasing pressure), mediastinal shift, compression of the uninjured lung, kinking of superior and inferior vena cava vessels.
- Assessment findings: extreme anxiety, cyanosis, diminished breath sounds, tracheal deviation, tachycardia, hypotension, increasing dyspnea, difficulty ventilating, bulging intercostal muscles, subcutaneous emphysema, jugular venous distention, unequal expansion, hyperresonance.
- Management: immediate care is needed to reduce pleural space pressure(high-concentration oxygen, positive-pressure ventilation, occlusive dressings, needle thoracostomy).
-
Hemothorax:
- Bleeding in the pleural cavity.
- Associated with pneumothora or hemopneumothorax, usually caused by blunt/penetrating trauma such as rib fractures.
- Pathophysiology: blood accumulation in the pleural space.
- Assessment findings: tachypnea, dyspnea, cyanosis (may not be present in hemorrhagic shock), diminished/decreased breath sounds, hyporesonance, hypotension, narrowed pulse pressure, tracheal deviation to unaffected side (rare), pale, cool, moist skin.
- Management: airway and ventilation(o2, positive pressure ventilation), circulation (infuse fluids), pharmacological and non-pharmacological interventions (such as tube thoracostomy)
-
Hemopneumothorax:
- This is a condition where both bleeding and air are present in the pleural space.
- Management is the same as for hemothorax. (same interventions as hemothorax).
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Pulmonary Contusion:
- Injury to lung tissues from blunt chest trauma.
- Commonly associated with rib fractures.
- Potential for high incidence of extra thoracic injuries.
- May be missed due to other associated injuries present.
- Assessment findings: tachypnea, tachycardia, respiratory distress, dyspnea, cough, hemoptysis, evidence of blunt chest trauma, apprehension, and cyanosis.
- Management: airway and ventilation(oxygen, positive pressure), circulatory (restrict fluids in hypovolemic patients), and appropriate transport.
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Traumatic Asphyxia:
- Occurs due to a severe crushing injury to the chest and upper abdomen from objects such as steering wheels, or belts.
- Pathophysiology: sudden compressional force squeezes the chest, leading to increased intrathoracic pressure forcing blood from right side of heart to upper thorax, neck, and face. Jugular veins engorge and capillaries rupture.
- Assessment findings: reddish-purple discoloration of the face and neck; swelling of lips and tongue, head and neck; hemorrhage of the conjunctiva; hypotension after compression is relaxed.
- Management: ensure an open airway, provide adequate ventilation, IV access, expect hypotension/shock after compression is released, transport considerations.
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Heart and Great Vessel Injury:
- Myocardial contusion is a common cardiac injury.
- Frequently associated with motor vehicle accidents.
- Assessment findings: retrosternal chest pain, ECG changes(tachycardia, ST elevation, t wave inversion, right bundle branch block, atrial flutter, fibrilation, premature ventricular contractions, premature atrial contractions), new cardiac murmur, pericardial friction rub, hypotension, chest wall contusions, ecchymosis.
- Management: airway and ventilation (high concentration oxygen), circulation (IV access, antidysrhythmics, vasopressors), appropriate transport considerations.
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Pericardial Tamponade:
- A rare injury, characterized by the accumulation of fluid in the pericardial sac around the heart.
- Often from penetrating trauma (e.g gunshot wounds)
- Pathophysiology: blood leaks into the thoracic cavity, increases pressure, compresses the heart, decreasing stroke volume and cardiac output
- Assessment findings: tachycardia, respiratory distress, narrowed pulse pressure with hypotension, cyanosis of the head, neck, and upper extremities, Beck's triad (narrowing pulse pressure, neck vein distention, muffled heart sounds), and possible Kussmaul's sign.
- Management: Airway (and ventilation), circulate (IV access fluid challenge), non-pharmacological, and transport.
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Traumatic Aortic Rupture:
- A traumatic tear in the aorta (major blood vessel).
- Often from high-speed motor vehicle accidents or falls.
- Assessment findings: upper extremity hypertension, absent or decreased amplitude of femoral pulses, generalized hypertension, harsh systolic murmur, paraplegia (rare), retrosternal or interscapular pain
- Management: airway and ventilation (high concentration oxygen, spinal precautions), circulation (limit fluid replacement in normotensive patients), appropriate transport considerations.
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Test your knowledge on thoracic trauma, including assessment, classifications, and management strategies. This quiz covers mechanisms of injury, chest injury statistics, and important considerations for cardiac assessments. Enhance your understanding of how to manage blunt trauma without surgery.