Which type of wound occurs when air enters the thoracic cavity?

• A. Closed chest injury
• B. Contusion
• C. Sucking chest wound
• D. Pneumothorax

Answer: (C)

A sucking chest wound occurs when there is a breach in the chest wall, allowing air to enter the pleural space. This type of wound is characterized by a wound that does not completely seal, which creates a one-way valve effect. As a result, when the patient inhales, air is drawn into the thoracic cavity, but it cannot escape when the patient exhales. This leads to a significant respiratory problem and potentially life-threatening complications such as a tension pneumothorax if not properly managed. Prompt recognition and treatment of a sucking chest wound is crucial in prehospital settings, as it can impede breathing and lead to serious consequences if left untreated.

Other choices refer to different types of injuries: a closed chest injury involves blunt trauma, a contusion is simply a bruising of soft tissues, and a pneumothorax refers to air in the pleural space but does not specifically denote the mechanism of entry through a wound. Thus, the sucking chest wound is the specific type being described in the question.