The current patient may suffer a variety of traumatic injuries after their accident, the injuries the paramedic will focus on are those that are most life threatening. These injuries include: possible tension pneumothorax or hemothorax, hypovolemic shock, mild or stable pelvic fracture, and tibia fibula fracture. A pneumothorax is defined as “the presence of air or gas in the plural cavity that may impair oxygenation and/or ventilation. » (Daley, 2014). Progression of pneumothorax to tension pneumothorax can be caused by positive pressure ventilation. A tension pneumothorax can be caused by blunt or penetrating trauma, in the case study provided it is blunt trauma. Trauma to the thoracic region causes damage to the plural cavity; either the visceral (line either lung) or parietal (line the chest wall) plura, or may be caused by trauma to the traceobronchial tree (Daley, 2014). Trauma to the thoracic region causes the formation of a one-way valve, which allows air to flow into the plural space when inhaling, but cannot be expelled during exhalation (Curtis , Ramsden and Lord, 2011). As air trapped in the lungs builds up in the affected side, it can lead to serious complications. In the case study, it is the left lung that is in distress, and as pressure increases in the left lung, this can cause the Venus to return impaired to the right atrium (Daley, 2014). The increased pressure can eventually affect the right lung, as pressure builds up in the left side and causes mediastinal shift which increases pressure on the right lung, decreasing the patient's ability to breathe and diffuse airways. body tissues appropriately. The increased pressure on the left side where the initial trauma...... middle of paper ......January 14, 29). Hemothorax. Retrieved from http://emedicine.medscape.com/article/2047916-overview#aw2aab6b2b4Norvell, JG (June 11, 2013). Clinical presentation of tibia and fibula fractures. Retrieved from http://emedicine.medscape.com/article/826304-clinicalQueensland Government. (July 8, 2013). Traumatic emergencies. Retrieved from https://ambulance.qld.gov.au/docs/09_cpg_trauma.pdfrenin-angiotensin. (2014). In Encyclopedia Britannica. Retrieved from http://www.britannica.com/EBchecked/topic/498140/renin-angiotensin-systemRetrieved from http://esa.act.gov.au/wp-content/uploads/Morphine-Sulphate-Jan-2014. pdfRetrieved from http://esa.act.gov.au/wp-content/uploads/Time-Critical-Patients.pdfVictoria State Government. (July 10, 2013). Bone fractures. Retrieved from http://www.betterhealth.vic.gov.au/bhcv2/bhcarticles.nsf/pages/Bone_fractures