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Clinical Practice
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Pneumothorax Types: A Quick Review

A 5-hour clinical review of pneumothorax classification, recognition, emergency response, treatment, chest drainage, and patient education for nurses.

A registered nurse assessing breath sounds and oxygenation in an adult patient with a secured lateral chest tube connected to an upright drainage unit below chest level.
Contact hours
5
Format
Self-paced, online
Last reviewed
Sep 19, 2026

$20.00or included with All-Access

$5 per contact hour · 5 contact hours

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  • No post-test required · unlimited retakes · evaluation and attestation always required

Course Purpose

A 5-hour clinical review of pneumothorax classification, recognition, emergency response, treatment, chest drainage, and patient education for nurses.

Continuing Education Credit Designation

This educational activity is credited for 5 contact hours at completion of the activity.

Overview

After completing this course, the nurse will be able to distinguish traumatic, spontaneous, iatrogenic, open, and tension pneumothorax and identify findings that require immediate escalation. The nurse will also be able to support evidence-based treatment, monitor a patient with a chest tube, troubleshoot common drainage-system problems, and provide discharge and recurrence-prevention education.

Objectives

Upon completion of this independent study, the learner will be able to:

  1. Differentiate traumatic, primary spontaneous, secondary spontaneous, iatrogenic, open, and tension pneumothorax.
  2. Assess patients for clinical findings that suggest pneumothorax or progression to tension physiology.
  3. Prioritize emergency nursing actions for suspected tension or open pneumothorax.
  4. Explain observation, aspiration, ambulatory management, tube thoracostomy, pleurodesis, and surgical treatment options.
  5. Manage a chest tube and drainage system using evidence-based safety practices.
  6. Develop discharge teaching that addresses recurrence, smoking, air travel, diving, activity, and follow-up.

Policy Statement

This activity has been planned and implemented in accordance with the policies of FastCEForLess.com. This course should be used for informational purposes only and should not be used to diagnose, treat, prescribe, recommend, or initiate therapies or treatments in any setting. This course is copyrighted by Fast CE For Less, Inc. and may not be replicated, copied, or dispersed without written consent.

Disclosures

Fast CE For Less, Inc. and its authors have no disclosures. There is no commercial support.

Who this course is for:

Healthcare professionals who want continuing education on Pneumothorax Types: A Quick Review.

Course outline

8 sections · finish in any order across devices

  1. 1

    Introduction

  2. 2

    Defining Pneumothorax

  3. 3

    Types of Pneumothorax

  4. 4

    Traumatic Pneumothorax

  5. 5

    Atraumatic Pneumothorax

  6. 6

    Treatment and Interventions

  7. 7

    Chest Tube Considerations

  8. 8

    Conclusion

References

The full reference list is included inside the course, after the Conclusion.

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