Which of the following is least likely to cause pneumomediastinum?
a. Chest trauma
b. Esophageal rupture
c. Thyroid surgery
d. Pericarditis
ANS: D
Pneumomediastinum, is a form of barotrauma, may result from movement of air into the medias-tinum, as may also be seen in cases of esophageal rupture (Figure 21-30). This usually occurs in the distal portion of the esophagus in patients who undergo procedures to stretch or dilate the esophagus. Chest trauma may cause rupture of a main bronchus, also allowing movement of air into the mediastinum. Rarely, air dissects down from the soft tissues of the neck after thyroid, parathyroid, or tonsillar surgery. Gas associated with a retrotonsillar abscess may also move down to the mediastinum through the fascial planes of the neck. Air that accumulates in the retroperi-toneum may enter the mediastinum via openings in the diaphragm for the aorta or esophagus.
You might also like to view...
During your radio report to the hospital, which of the following pieces of information should NOT be relayed?
A) Baseline vital signs B) Patient's name C) Patient's age D) Patient's status
____________________, also referred to as domestic violence (DV), can be described as violence between partners in an ongoing or past relationship regardless of marital status or sexual orientation.
Fill in the blank(s) with the appropriate word(s).