Spontaneous pneumothorax is characterized by which description?

• A. Fluid buildup around the heart
• B. Hole in the lungs without injury, commonly in tall, slender individuals
• C. Infection of the pleural space
• D. Pus in the airways

Answer: (B)

Spontaneous pneumothorax occurs when air leaks into the pleural space because a small area on the lung surface (a bleb) ruptures, creating a hole in the lung without any injury to the chest wall. This is why the description fits best: a hole in the lung without external trauma, commonly occurring in tall, slender individuals who are prone to bleb formation at the lung apex.

The other descriptions point to different conditions: fluid around the heart would be a pericardial effusion, infection of the pleural space is empyema, and pus in the airways would be purulent secretions from an airway infection. In spontaneous pneumothorax you’d expect sudden chest pain and shortness of breath, with possible decreased breath sounds on the affected side, and you’d manage with oxygen and rapid assessment/transport, watching for signs that could progress to a life-threatening tension pneumothorax.