Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) Practice Test

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What happens in a pneumothorax?

Air enters the lung tissue
Lung tissue becomes overinflated
A portion of the lung ruptures, allowing air into the pleural cavity
Fluid accumulates in the pleural cavity

The correct answer is: A portion of the lung ruptures, allowing air into the pleural cavity

In a pneumothorax, a portion of the lung ruptures, leading to the introduction of air into the pleural cavity. This condition disrupts the normal negative pressure within the pleural space, which is essential for lung inflation. As air accumulates in the pleural cavity, it can cause the lung on the affected side to collapse partially or completely. This collapse prevents the lung from expanding fully during inhalation, which can lead to decreased oxygenation and respiratory distress. Other options, such as air entering the lung tissue or fluid accumulating in the pleural cavity, describe different medical conditions. For instance, air entering the lung tissue might pertain to an injury or infection, while fluid accumulation in the pleural cavity refers to conditions like pleural effusion. Overinflation of lung tissue may occur in different pulmonary issues like emphysema, but it is not characteristic of pneumothorax.