Quiz Me
← Chest Injuries

EMT Basic · Chapter 30 · Review · Chapter track

Chest Injuries

Referencing the content of EMT-Basic training and emergency patient care

Learning objectives (11)

  1. Demonstrate the management of a patient with a sucking chest wound — Knowledge/skills objective (printed page 1091); confirm wording in your course copy.

  2. Describe the complications of a patient with a flail chest — Knowledge/skills objective (printed page 1091); confirm wording in your course copy.

  3. Describe the complications of cardiac tamponade — Knowledge/skills objective (printed page 1091); confirm wording in your course copy.

  4. Describe the complications of rib fractures — Knowledge/skills objective (printed page 1091); confirm wording in your course copy.

  5. Describe the differences between an open and closed chest injury — Knowledge/skills objective (printed page 1091); confirm wording in your course copy.

  6. Describe the steps to take in the assessment of a patient with a suspected chest injury — Knowledge/skills objective (printed page 1091); confirm wording in your course copy.

  7. Differentiate between a pneumothorax (open, simple, and tension) and a hemothorax — Knowledge/skills objective (printed page 1091); confirm wording in your course copy.

  8. Explain the complications of a patient with an open pneumothorax (sucking chest wound) — Knowledge/skills objective (printed page 1091); confirm wording in your course copy.

  9. Explain the mechanics of ventilation in relation to chest injuries — Knowledge/skills objective (printed page 1091); confirm wording in your course copy.

  10. Recognize the complications that can accompany chest injuries — Knowledge/skills objective (printed page 1091); confirm wording in your course copy.

  11. Recognize the signs of chest injury — Knowledge/skills objective (printed page 1091); confirm wording in your course copy.

Chapter web resources

Optional reading from authoritative sites. Your textbook remains the primary source for this course.

When sources disagree (5 topics to verify before you teach from this chapter alone)

Printable study sheetPrintable flashcards (PDF, 10-up)Read first, then practise the track.

Showing Chapter track material. Switch tracks on the chapter page.

Vocabulary · 11

  • Pneumothorax

    Air in the pleural space causing partial or complete lung collapse.

    SourceNIH MedlinePlus — Pneumothorax

  • Tension pneumothorax

    A pneumothorax in which a one-way air leak progressively collapses the lung and shifts mediastinal structures, compromising circulation; an immediate threat to life.

    SourceAmerican College of Surgeons — ATLS — Tension pneumothorax

  • Hemothorax

    Blood in the pleural space, often from chest trauma; can cause respiratory compromise and shock.

    SourceNIH MedlinePlus — Hemothorax

  • Hemopneumothorax

    The presence of both blood and air in the pleural space following thoracic trauma.

    SourceAmerican College of Surgeons — ATLS — Thoracic trauma

  • Flail chest

    A free segment of chest wall created by fractures of two or more adjacent ribs in two or more places; produces paradoxical movement.

    SourceAmerican College of Surgeons — ATLS — Flail chest

  • Pulmonary contusion

    Bruising of lung tissue from blunt chest trauma; can lead to hypoxia over hours.

    SourceAmerican College of Surgeons — ATLS — Pulmonary contusion

  • Cardiac tamponade

    Compression of the heart by fluid in the pericardial sac; reduces cardiac output and causes obstructive shock.

    SourceAmerican Heart Association — Cardiac tamponade

  • Beck's triad

    The classic findings of cardiac tamponade — hypotension, jugular venous distention, and muffled heart sounds.

    SourceMerriam-Webster Medical Dictionary — Beck's triad

  • Open chest wound (sucking chest wound)

    A penetrating chest injury that allows air to enter the pleural space directly through the wound during inhalation.

    SourceAmerican College of Surgeons — ATLS — Open pneumothorax

  • Vented chest seal

    An occlusive dressing with a one-way valve placed over an open chest wound to prevent air entry while allowing air to escape, reducing tension risk.

    SourceCommittee on Tactical Combat Casualty Care (TCCC) — Vented chest seal

  • Paradoxical respirations

    Inward chest wall movement during inhalation (opposite of normal) — characteristic of flail chest.

    SourceAmerican College of Surgeons — ATLS — Paradoxical chest movement

Sequences · 2

  • Recognition of tension pneumothorax — Order these findings from earliest to latest in a developing tension pneumothorax.
  • Field management of an open chest wound — Order EMT steps for an open ('sucking') chest wound.