Pulmonary contusions: management and implications for trauma nurses.

ABSTRACT

TOPIC Pathophysiology of pulmonary contusions, current methods for assessing blunt chest trauma patients, pulmonary parameters and diagnostic methodology, and innovative ventilatory treatment. PURPOSE: To heighten awareness of pulmonary contusion, the treatment and potential sequelae. SOURCES Published information and clinical experience. CONCLUSION: A pulmonary contusion is a common potentially lethal chest injury seen in this country. Trauma clinicians should have heightened awareness about this injury because the injury is often overlooked and the clinicians frequently do not comprehend the mechanisms causing pulmonary contusions.