A collapsed lung defined as air in the pleural cavity is called what?

A collapsed lung defined as air in the pleural cavity is called what?

• A. Simple pneumothorax
• B. Pleural effusion
• C. Pneumonia
• D. Atelectasis

Answer: (A)

Air entering the pleural space causes the lung to collapse, a condition known as pneumothorax. When this occurs without the pressing effects on the heart and great vessels (no mediastinal shift), it’s described as a simple pneumothorax. This distinction matters because a tension pneumothorax—where pressure builds and shifts the mediastinum—requires urgent treatment. The other terms refer to different problems: pleural effusion is fluid in the pleural space, pneumonia is infection of the lung tissue, and atelectasis is collapse of lung tissue due to alveolar collapse or obstruction, not air in the pleural space.

Air entering the pleural space causes the lung to collapse, a condition known as pneumothorax. When this occurs without the pressing effects on the heart and great vessels (no mediastinal shift), it’s described as a simple pneumothorax. This distinction matters because a tension pneumothorax—where pressure builds and shifts the mediastinum—requires urgent treatment. The other terms refer to different problems: pleural effusion is fluid in the pleural space, pneumonia is infection of the lung tissue, and atelectasis is collapse of lung tissue due to alveolar collapse or obstruction, not air in the pleural space.