Decompression of pneumothorax

What is another name for a collapsed lung?

•     Tyrannosaurus rex

•      Pneumothorax

• Breathlessness

•      Air in the abdominal cavity caused by the outside air entering the space by means of which we don’t know

What are the signs and symptoms of a tension pneumothorax?

•      Respiratory Distress, Air Hunger, Chest pain

•      Hypotension, Hypoxia, Absent breath sounds

•      Tracheal deviation, Mediastinal Shift, Subcutaneous Emphysema

• All of the above 

The correct insertion point for the to decompress a tension pneumothorax is:

•       Anywhere is good as long as its in the chest.

•      If you aim for the jugular, you should be right

•      2^nd intercostal space mid- clavicular line just above 3^rd rib on the effected side

•      2^nd intercostal space mid- clavicular line, posteriorly on the opposite side to the injury

After observing the green indicator moving towards the patient, indicating that you have entered the pleural space You should

•      Advance device 1cm further into Pt’s chest

•      Aspirate syringe plunger to detect air and confirm pleural space has been reached

•      Hold catheter firmly in position by holding hub and gently withdraw needle

•       All of the above

The scalpel is used to

•      Make you look like a surgeon

•       Make small incision in skin 2-3mm in length

•       Cut a hole in the chest in case the decompression fails

•      Perform your own cosmetic surgery

A tension pneumothorax forms when:

•      air enters the space between the lung and chest wall.

•      air pushes on the outside of the lung and causes it to collapse

•      The plural cavity pressure is greater than the atmospheric pressure

•      All of the above

At what angle of degrees should you insert the catheter?

•       45^o

•      180^o

•       22.5^o

• 90^o

Indications to decompress a tension pneumothorax include:

•      Single pneumothorax with respiratory, cardiac compromise

•      Chest injuries with major trauma and peri-arrest

•       Traumatic cardiac arrest with actual or suspected chest injuries

• All of the above

You secure the catheter in place by:

•       Pushing it in all the way until it can go no further

•      You don’t, you just let it flop around and hope that it doesn’t fall out

•     Placing two ECG electrodes at the insertion point. Then gently bend the catheter and secure using 1cm brown tape with the hinged tape technique

• None of the above  

The needle vice should be placed on a hard surface to ensure

•      The needle stands up straight when finished

•      So other paramedics can see what a good job you’ve done

•     You don’t give yourself a needle stick injury

• Because it looks good when it done