Which insult to the chest results in a collection of blood in the pleural space that narrows lung inflation?

• A. Open pneumothorax
• B. Rib injury
• C. Hemothorax
• D. Pulmonary contusion

Answer: (C)

Bleeding into the pleural space from chest trauma is a hemothorax. When blood collects between the lung’s outer lining and the chest wall, it occupies space that the lung would normally expand into, causing compression and reduced lung inflation. This directly leads to a smaller lung volume on the affected side and can impair breathing.

This differs from an open pneumothorax, where air enters the pleural space through a chest wound, potentially collapsing the lung but without a collection of blood. A rib injury refers to damage to the bones and may cause pain or other injuries but doesn’t inherently describe blood pooling in the pleural space. A pulmonary contusion involves bleeding and bruising within the lung tissue itself, not in the pleural cavity, which impairs gas exchange rather than compressing the lung from the outside.