A patient is diagnosed with a pneumothorax and asks you to explain this condition. What will you say that is most accurate?
Pus in the pleural space
Collapse of small airways
Blood in the chest cavity
Air in the pleural space
The Correct Answer is D
A. Pus in the pleural space: This describes empyema, a condition in which infection leads to pus accumulation in the pleural space. Empyema is commonly associated with bacterial pneumonia, lung abscess, or thoracic surgery and requires drainage and antibiotic therapy. It does not cause the lung collapse seen in pneumothorax.
B. Collapse of small airways: While airway collapse can occur in conditions like bronchiolitis or atelectasis, it is not the defining feature of pneumothorax. Pneumothorax specifically involves air leaking into the pleural space, which disrupts the negative pressure necessary for lung expansion and results in partial or complete lung collapse.
C. Blood in the chest cavity: This describes hemothorax, a condition in which blood accumulates in the pleural space due to trauma, ruptured blood vessels, or certain medical conditions. Unlike pneumothorax, which involves air in the pleural space, hemothorax requires different management, including drainage with a chest tube and possible fluid resuscitation.
D. Air in the pleural space: Pneumothorax occurs when air enters the pleural space, causing a loss of negative pressure and leading to lung collapse. This can result from chest trauma, spontaneous rupture of alveoli, underlying lung disease, or mechanical ventilation. Symptoms may include sudden chest pain, dyspnea, and decreased breath sounds on the affected side.
Nursing Test Bank
Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams
Related Questions
Correct Answer is B
Explanation
A. Thoracotomy: Thoracotomy involves opening the chest cavity to access the heart and lungs; this surgical approach is not the first-line treatment for pericardial effusion and is more invasive than necessary, potentially leading to increased recovery time and complications.
B. Pericardiocentesis: Pericardiocentesis involves inserting a needle into the pericardial space to remove excess fluid; this procedure is a common and effective treatment for symptomatic large pericardial effusions, providing rapid relief of symptoms such as dyspnea and chest pain while also allowing for diagnostic evaluation of the fluid.
C. Heart catheterization: Heart catheterization involves a diagnostic procedure to assess heart function and blood flow through the coronary arteries; while it provides valuable information regarding cardiac conditions, it is not indicated for treating pericardial effusion and does not address the underlying fluid accumulation.
D. Pericardiectomy: Pericardiectomy involves removing part or all of the pericardium; this surgical procedure is typically reserved for chronic cases or constrictive pericarditis, as it is more invasive and not the immediate treatment option for an acute pericardial effusion, where less invasive options are preferred.
Correct Answer is A
Explanation
A. Myocardial infarction: Myocardial infarction involves the irreversible damage to the heart muscle due to prolonged ischemia, typically resulting from the occlusion of a coronary artery. The lack of oxygen and nutrients leads to cell death in the affected area of the heart, causing permanent damage.
B. Myocardial stunning: Myocardial stunning refers to a temporary reduction in the heart's function following reperfusion after a period of ischemia. The heart muscle may regain function over time, and this condition does not cause irreversible damage.
C. Stable angina: Stable angina is characterized by transient chest pain due to reversible ischemia, usually triggered by physical exertion or stress. The ischemic episodes do not lead to irreversible damage to the heart muscle, as blood flow is restored when the trigger is removed.
D. Unstable angina: Unstable angina involves episodes of chest pain that occur at rest or with minimal exertion and may signal an impending myocardial infarction. While it indicates a high risk of myocardial infarction, it does not cause irreversible damage to the heart muscle itself unless it progresses to an infarction.
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