A victim of a motor vehicle accident comes to a medical facility with a rib fracture that has punctured the pleural membrane. The open wound allows the pleural cavity to pull air into the opening of the wound, thus building a pleural space. Which treatment can a nurse expect from the primary health-care provider?

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

A chest tube with suction is commonly used to remove air (or fluid) from the pleural space and re-expand the lung in cases of pneumothorax or hemothorax caused by trauma, such as a rib fracture puncturing the pleural membrane. This helps in restoring negative pressure in the pleural space, allowing the lung to re-expand.

A Victim of a Motor Vehicle Accident Comes to a Medical