Exams and Tests

• Examination of the chest by listening with a stethoscope and tapping techniques can suggest pneumothorax. If a tension pneumothorax is present, the signs that can occur are as follows:
  
  
  • The blood pressure will fall as the result of decreased heart output.
    
    
  • Cyanosis or blueness of the skin will occur as the tissues lose their oxygen.
    
    
  • Decreased levels of consciousness may occur because of the low blood pressure, decreased brain perfusion, and low oxygenation.
  
  
• Definitive diagnosis is made with chest x-rays.
  
  
  • A very small pneumothorax can be missed on routine chest x-ray.
    
    
  • The doctor may take multiple films, including x-rays in full expiration, or even a CT scan of the chest, to look for a collapsed lung.

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