Disable ads (and more) with a membership for a one time $4.99 payment
What is the term for air trapped between the chest wall and a lung, causing the lung to collapse partially or fully?
Active; pressure drops, air is sucked in
Air between pleural linings; lungs can't fully inflate leading to a collapsed lung
Decreased lung sounds on one side; respiratory distress; maybe bubbling chest wound
Hearts pumping ability is diminished; great vessels are bent and blood flow is hindered
The correct answer is: Air between pleural linings; lungs can't fully inflate leading to a collapsed lung
The correct term for air trapped between the chest wall and a lung, which can lead to the partial or complete collapse of the lung, is accurately described in the choice. This scenario is known as a pneumothorax. In this condition, the presence of air in the pleural space disrupts the normal negative pressure that is required for lung inflation. As a result, the lung cannot fully expand, which can cause varying degrees of collapse depending on the amount of air present and the individual's overall lung capacity. The other options address different conditions or phenomena that do not specifically pertain to the definition of air trapped between the chest wall and the lung. For example, while decreased lung sounds and signs of respiratory distress may be associated with a pneumothorax, they do not directly define the term itself. Similarly, changes in the heart's pumping ability and the effect on the great vessels pertain to cardiac issues that are unrelated to the mechanics of lung collapse due to air in the pleural space. Therefore, option B correctly encapsulates the condition being described, focusing on the key components of how trapped air affects lung function.