What describes a sucking chest wound?

A sucking chest wound is characterized by an open wound in the chest that allows air to enter the pleural cavity when a person breathes in. This phenomenon often results in a gurgling or sucking sound, particularly as the person inhales. The presence of this wound can lead to serious complications, such as a tension pneumothorax, where air becomes trapped in the pleural space, leading to respiratory distress. The gurgling noise indicates that air is moving in and out of this open wound, which is a critical factor in diagnosing this type of injury.

The other options do not accurately reflect the nature of a sucking chest wound. A cut causing severe bleeding relates to lacerations or external injuries, while a lung collapsing completely describes a pneumothorax but does not specify that there is an open wound involved. Lastly, internal bleeding without an external wound does not address the air movement aspect associated with a sucking chest wound. Thus, the defining characteristic of a sucking chest wound is the open nature of the injury combined with the audible airflow it generates.