Why must you seal an open chest wound?

Sealing an open chest wound is critical primarily to prevent air from entering the chest cavity, which can lead to a condition known as a pneumothorax, where air fills the space between the lung and chest wall. This can cause the lung on the affected side to collapse, severely impairing respiratory function and leading to respiratory distress or failure. By sealing the wound, you help maintain normal intrathoracic pressure, allowing the lung to expand properly during breathing. This intervention is essential in stabilizing the patient's condition until further medical assistance can be provided.

While keeping the wound clean and preventing infection are important considerations in wound care, they are secondary to the immediate threat posed by air entering the thoracic cavity. Reducing bleeding, while also a critical aspect of managing injuries, is not the primary reason for sealing an open chest wound specifically.