Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) Intermediate Practice Exam

What type of injury is likely when a driver gasps and holds her breath just before crashing?

1. Pneumothorax

2. Rupture of the lung parenchyma

3. Sternal fracture

4. Chest wall contusion

The correct answer is: Rupture of the lung parenchyma

When a driver gasps and holds her breath just before crashing, it indicates a sudden increase in intra-thoracic pressure due to the inhalation and the subsequent tension during breath-holding. This action can lead to a rupture of the lung parenchyma, which is the functional tissue of the lung responsible for gas exchange. In situations involving significant trauma, particularly with abrupt impacts, the combination of high pressure in the thoracic cavity and physical forces can compromise the integrity of the lung tissue. A rupture of the lung parenchyma can result in air escaping into the pleural space, potentially leading to a pneumothorax, but the act of breath-holding itself directly correlates with the risk of tearing lung tissue under stress. While other injuries such as a sternal fracture or contusion of the chest wall may also occur, they are often associated with direct trauma rather than the physiological response of gasping and breath-holding. These injuries typically do not result from the lung's rupture but rather from impacts that compress or otherwise damage the bony and soft structures of the thorax.