NEEDLE THORACOSTOMY: ASSISTING WITH

Course overview

Needle thoracostomy (NT) is a temporizing measure used to “buy time” until definitive treatment for pneumothorax can be administered. Pneumothorax is the presence of air or gas within the pleural cavity (i.e., the potential space between the visceral and parietal pleura of the lungs), which normally contains a small amount of serous fluid, as a result of a break in the pleural cavity. This continuing education module is designed to give the reader/learner an increased understanding of how to assist with NT. Readers may explore any or all of the topics. One contact hour of continuing education credit is available for those who successfully complete the post-test and evaluation form.