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Pneumothorax — UKMLA MCQ

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EasyRespiratory medicinePneumothoraxUKMLA

A 24-year-old man presents with pleuritic chest pain, dyspnoea, and a sudden onset. Examination reveals hyperresonance and absent breath sounds on the right side. A chest X-ray confirms a spontaneous pneumothorax. He is not breathless at rest, and the pneumothorax is <2 cm in rim. What is the recommended initial management?

Educational content. Not a substitute for clinical judgement or local policy.

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Correct answer: C — Discharge with follow-up

For a primary spontaneous pneumothorax that is small (<2 cm rim) and the patient is not clinically compromised, NICE guidelines recommend discharge with safety netting and a follow-up X-ray, as many small pneumothoraces resolve spontaneously.

Reference: NICE Pneumothorax Guideline