Respiratory
Hemothorax vs. Pneumothorax
Key Sign & Memory Trick
L
HEMOTHORAX
Hemothorax
PNEUMOTHORAX
Pneumothorax
TENSION PNEUMOTHORAX
Tension
Pneumothorax
L
DULL RESONANCE
BLOOD OR FLUID
H
H
HYPERRESONANCE
HIGH AIR
T
T
TRACHEAL
DEVIATION
TENSION
PNEUMOTHORAX
Hemothorax
Blood collects in pleural space (space between lung and chest wall)
resulting in lung collapse. Think hemo meaning blood like HEMOglobin.
Pneumothorax
Lung collapses due to AIR in pleural space. Key sign: hyperresonance like taping on a hollow drum or tree.
Tension Pneumothorax
Can result from an open pneumothorax, where air gets sucked into the
pleural space when breathing in & can't get out, known as a sucking chest
wound. All this built-up pressure can push organs & trachea to one side.
HESI Question
Dyspnea
Tachycardia
Tachypnea
Treatment:
Chest tube
Open pneumothorax “sucking sound”
Cover the wound with occlusive
(petroleum gauze) dressing
Tape on 3
sides
1st
During central line placement the
patient develops dyspnea and
tachypnea and the provider asks
for a chest tube tray...
Suspected pneumothorax