Pneumothorax Research Paper

Air escaped from the lung into the pleural space. Eventually, enough air collected in the pleural space to cause the mediastinum to shift twoard the right. The collapsed left lung, increased intrapleural pressure, and rightward shift make it difficult to ventilate A.W.

The respiratory system is a complex organ structure of the human body anatomy, and the primary purpose of this system is to supply the blood with oxygen in order for the blood vessels to carry the precious gaseous element to all parts of the body to accomplish cell respiration. The respiratory system completes this important function of breathing throughout inspiration. In the breathing process inhaling oxygen is essential for cells to metabolize nutrients and carry out some other tasks, but it must occur simultaneously with exhaling when the carbon dioxide is excreted, this exchange of gases is the respiratory system's means of getting oxygen to the blood (McGowan, Jefferies & Turley, 2004).

A 50 years old male who has bilateral pneumonia, was found to have pneumothorax while on mechanical ventilation CPAP/PS mode. While placing the pigtail catheter, the patient

It causes a decrease in lung functions, and very often, shows signs of breathlessness. It is indeed a destructive disease of the lung in which the alveoli (small sacs) that promote oxygen exchange between the air and the bloodstream are destroyed. Emphysema is a progressive, degenerative kind of disease that destroys many alveolar walls. As a result, clusters of small air sacs merge into larger chambers, which decrease the total surface area of the alveolar walls. At the same time, the alveolar walls lose their elasticity and the capillary networks associated with the alveoli diminish (Shier et al; 2010). It is in this sense that a person with emphysema finds it very difficult and increasingly hard to breath, has to force air out of the lungs because the tissue elasticity of the lungs and for that matter, the alveolar sacs have reduced or completely destroyed. Furthermore, abnormal muscular efforts are required to compensate for the lack of elastic recoil that normally contributes to

Now lets look a tension pneumothorax. A tension pneumothorax is when airs builds up in the pleural space [from a chest injury allowing air to enter but not get out] and cause the lungs to compress and decrease return blood flow to the heart causing shock. Tension pneumothorax is a serious and potential deadly condition that can sometimes be controlled by placing a coated trama pad over the hole to control air going in. Another procedure called needle decompression can be done by ALS providers.

changes in the lungs. The walls of the airways thicken and more mucus is produced. Damage to

Chest X-ray: Though not used for diagnosis, can show signs of conditions that resemble PE.

The lungs provide us with vital oxygen that we need and remove carbon dioxide from the air. Air enters the body through our nose and passes down the pharynx (throat), larynx (voice box) and finally the trachea (wind pipe). The trachea then splits up into two tubes called the bronchi (singular form: bronchus). This then splits up into bronchioles. Attached to these bronchioles are the alveoli (tiny air sacs lined with a thin layer of cells that have an excellent blood supply). This is where gas exchange occurs. The lungs' main function is to help oxygen from the air we breathe enter red blood cells. These red blood cells carry oxygen around the body to be used in the cells around our body. The lungs also help the body to remove CO2 gas when we breathe

There are two types of pneumothorax: primary spontaneous pneumothorax which is rupture of an air-filled bleb on the surface of the lung because of alveolar pressure and the secondary spontaneous pneumothorax, which is more serious because is associated with, lung disease that cause trapping of gases and destruction of lung tissue. The most common cause of secondary spontaneous pneumothorax is emphysema and it is a life-threatening due to poor compensatory reserves (Grossman & Porth, 2014).

A chest x-ray is the primary way to diagnose a pneumothorax. Generally two chest x-rays will be taken, one on inspiration and one on expiration. This allows to better visualize the collapsed lung. An additional CT scan may be required. Ultrasound may also be used.

Pulmonary edema is excessive fluid in the lungs. The fluid accumulates in several air sacs in the lungs causing dyspnea. Heart problems can lead to pulmonary edema, but the accumulation of fluid can be caused by several things such as medications, injury to the chest cavity, among other things (Mayo Clinic Staff).

The respiratory system, also known as the ventilatory system, is a series of organs found in the human body. The system’s primary function is performing respiration – inhaling oxygen from the environment and exhaling carbon dioxide out of the body (K.M Zimmermann, 2016). Oxygen acts as fuel – without it, the body would be unable to function. Carbon dioxide, the by-product of this process, is breathed out as it is toxic to the human body when it builds up (A.M Helminstine, 2016).

Ineffective airway clearance related to adventitious lung sounds, rhonchi auscultated bilaterally at the patient’s bases as evidence by CT scan displaying pleural effusion and basilar atelectasis. Y.B.’s ability to clear his airway is ineffective due to his current disease state. His alveoli are deflated due to pleural effusion. The pleural effusion is a result of blocked lymphatic drainage from the pleural cavity, possible caused by malignant cells (Lewis, Dirksen, Heitkemper, & Bucher, 2014). The goal for Y.B. is to maintain a clear, open airway, and improvement in lung sounds before discharge. Ensuring the patient uses the upright position, maintaining the head of the bead above 30o, will keep his abdominal contents from inhibiting lung expansion. This intervention will be evaluated by assessing lung sounds, pulse oximetry, assessing if Y.B. is using accessory muscles to breath, and a chest X-ray. In the article titled,

Imagine waking up in the morning to the discomfort of not being able to take a proper ventilation. Horrible, right? This is what people who have pleural effusions feel. I chose to do my paper on pleural effusions. Pleural effusions are a collection of fluid in the pleural space, the cavity surrounding the lungs. Typically, there is 10 mL of fluid in this space to lubricate the pleura, however when disrupted by diseases such as pneumonia, pulmonary embolisms, congestive heart failure, or cancer, fluid begins to third space and collect in abnormal amounts. The biggest challenge then becomes dyspnea and tachypnea. This is because the extra fluid decreases pressure making it difficult for the lung to fully expand. Pleural effusions

Normal respiration consists of inhalation and exhalation. Inhalation is taking in oxygen and delivering it to all cells in the body and exhalation is picking up carbon dioxide waster product of cells and taking it out. Air travel from the nose or mouth into the larynx into the trachea and ends up in the lungs where oxygen is dropped and carbon dioxide is picked up. Oxygen is really important for cell function and when oxygen is not delivered, cells begin to die. So when process of breathing does not work properly other methods of delivering oxygen are used such as tracheostomy.