A man sustained a puncture injury to his chest that caused a tension pneumothorax to form. This is a life-threatening condition because:

A) Expired air exits the bleeding wound.
B) Trapped, inspired air collapses the lung.
C) The opposite lung hyperinflates.
D) Blebs on the lung surface rupture.


Ans: B
Feedback:
Tension pneumothorax occurs when the intrapleural pressure exceeds atmospheric pressure. It is a life-threatening condition and occurs when injury to the chest or respiratory structures permits air to enter but not leave the pleural space. Spontaneous pneumothorax occurs when an air-filled bleb, or blister, on the lung surface ruptures. Rupture of these blebs allows atmospheric air from the airways to enter the pleural cavity. This results in a rapid increase in pressure in the chest with a compression atelectasis of the unaffected lung.

Health & Biomechanics

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