Final answer:
To mitigate the effects of chest trauma, it is essential to prevent air from entering the chest cavity, which could cause pneumothorax and lung collapse. Suction may be applied to the chest to restore negative pressure and encourage lung inflation. In emergency circumstances with severe bleeding and no time for blood typing, type O negative blood is used as it is the universal donor.
Step-by-step explanation:
In cases of chest trauma, it is critical to avoid the entry of air into the chest cavity, which can lead to a pneumothorax and potential lung collapse. During a pneumothorax, the liquid adhesion that binds the lung to the chest wall is disrupted due to the introduction of air, causing the gauge pressure that normally maintains this attachment (ranging from -4 to -8 mm Hg) to become positive. This compromises the lungs' ability to inflate properly. To address this, medical professionals may apply suction to the chest cavity to reestablish the necessary negative pressure, allowing the lungs to reinflate. In cases of obstructive shock, where there is a risk of severe blood loss, providing the appropriate blood type is critical. If there is no time to type the patient's blood, type O negative blood is usually transfused because it is the universal donor type and is less likely to cause an adverse reaction.