QuestionSBA
QuestionChoice
This is incorrect as a pneumothorax will increase the pleural cavity space and pressure due to air entering the pleural space.
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b
Decreased lung volume, decreased pleural cavity volume, decreased intrapleural pressure
QuestionChoice
This is incorrect as a pneumothorax will increase the pleural cavity space due to air entering the pleural space.
10024292
c
Decreased lung volume, decreased pleural cavity volume, increased intrapleural pressure
QuestionChoice
Intrapleural pressure is naturally subatmospheric (negative) due to the opposing recoil of the lungs and chest wall. A pneumothorax refers to air entering the pleural space due to a rupture of the pleura. This increases the pleural cavity volume. As the pressure of the cavity is naturally negative, the addition of more gas molecules will increase the intrapleural pressure. As a result, the lung and chest wall will no longer be attached and will start to recoil in different directions causing the lung to collapse (decreased lung volume).
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a
Decreased lung volume, increased pleural cavity volume, increased intrapleural pressure
QuestionChoice
This is incorrect as a pneumothorax will increase the pleural cavity pressure due to air entering the pleural space.
10024293
d
Decreased lung volume, increased pleural cavity volume, decreased intrapleural pressure
QuestionChoice
This is incorrect as a pneumothorax will cause the collapse of the lung, reducing lung volume.
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e
Increased lung volume, increased pleural cavity, increased intrapleural pressure
Concept
Chapter
2693
4212
Lung volumes
Topic
150
Respiratory physiology
17256
A 27-year-old slim male is brought to A&E after being stabbed in the chest. He is diagnosed with a traumatic pneumothorax.

Which changes would you expect to see in the lung volume, pleural cavity volume and intrapleural pressure in the affected lung?
a