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Asthma Exacerbations: Pneumothorax Video
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Video at a Glance
- This video explaining pneumothorax is part of the asthma exacerbations series.
- When air enters the lungs but is restricted coming out, it increases pressure and causes alveoli to burst.
- When that happens, the lung can collapse, and the pressure pushes on the heart and constrict the vessels returning blood to the heart.
- The provider can recognize tension pneumothorax by observing tracheal deviation, distended neck veins, and absent breath sounds on the side of the collapse.
- If the patient is stable, request imaging to confirm the pneumothorax. Imaging options include a chest X-ray or ultrasound. Skip imaging in an unstable patient.
- Treatment includes a needle decompression, which is a temporary measure. Follow-up treatment requires a chest tube.
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