ACUTE PNEUMOTHORAX EVALUATION AND TREATMENT

Course overview

A PNEUMOTHORAX IS AN ACCUMULATION OF GAS IN THE PLEURAL SPACE (THE SPACE BETWEEN THE VISCERAL AND PARIETAL PLEURA OF THE CHEST CAVITY), WHICH CAN IMPAIR VENTILATION, OXYGENATION, OR BOTH. THIS CONDITION CAN VARY IN ITS PRESENTATION FROM ASYMPTOMATIC TO LIFE-THREATENING. THIS ACTIVITY OUTLINES THE EVALUATION AND MANAGEMENT OF PATIENTS PRESENTING WITH ACUTE PNEUMOTHORAX AND HIGHLIGHTS THE ROLE OF THE INTERPROFESSIONAL TEAM IN MANAGING PATIENTS WITH THIS CONDITION.