Nursing care of blunt abdomen injury patients with hemothorax: Case study

Abstract

A Thai male patient, 26-year old, was admitted to Banmi Hospital on May 26, 2019 with shortness of breath, asthenia and abdominal pain 20 minutes before coming to the hospital with caused by a traffic collision. He was diagnosed as blunt abdominal injury with blunt chest injury. Chest radiography found bleeding in the pleural cavity. Bleeding in the abdomen, diaphragm and spleen rupture grade II were found by abdominal computed tomography. The patients had shock and hypoxia. Oxygen therapy and chest drainage was done (Intercostal chest drain). Doctors plan to emergency explore laparotomy to stop bleeding. The patient was received the surgery to repair the diaphragm and splenectomy. After the surgery the patient was intubated and on a respirator. He be cared for prevent a lung infection and shock. The patient was maintained a balance of water and minerals in the body, pain relief and corrected anemia until the patient was out of the critical period. 2 days, late the endotracheal tube can be removed. Chest radiographs showed lungs expansion, no leakage of air and fluid. 5 day after surgery, chest drain was remove. The patient was practiced chest physical therapy to prevent pulmonary defibrillation. Surgical wounds was improve. There ware no complications after surgery. Totally of admission 12 days.