Word parts
What it means
A life-threatening kind of pneumothoraxnoo-moh-THOR-aksAir in the space between a lung and the chest wall, which lets part or all of that lung collapse.pneum/o air, lungthorac/o chestFull entry . Air enters the space around the lung with each breath but cannot get out, like a one-way valve. Pressure rises, collapsing the lung and pushing the heart, large vessels and windpipe toward the other side, which reduces blood return to the heart. It can follow chest injury, mechanical ventilation or a blocked chest tube. It is treated at once by releasing the air with a needle, then a chest tubechest toobA tube placed through the chest wall into the space around the lung to drain air, blood or fluid.Full entry .
For the nurse
Report sudden worsening shortness of breath, falling oxygen saturation and blood pressure, a trachea pushed to one side or swollen neck veins at once. In a client with a chest tube, check that the tubing is not kinked or clamped.
Related terms
pneumothorax
Air in the space between a lung and the chest wall, which lets part or all of that lung collapse.
chest tube
A tube placed through the chest wall into the space around the lung to drain air, blood or fluid.