A hemothorax is something that occurs when an accumulation of blood collects in the pleural cavity. A rupture in the lining that covers the lungs allows blood to fill into the space. It is generally caused by some sort of trauma to the chest cavity. A patient with a hemothorax will have rapid, difficult breathing, cyanosis, and decreased breath sound on the affected side of the chest. This person could also have a rapid heart beat, low blood pressure, and cool,clammy skin. A persistant hemothorax can put pressure on the mediastinum and the trachea; effecting the heart's ability and causing trachea deviation. To relieve the hemothorax, a patient will generally be given a chest tube to remove the blood from the chest. Nurses caring for these patients must keep a close eye on the patient's chest tube to make sure that the blood is not clotting in the chest and in or around the chest tube, which would cause further problems such as infection.
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