A 23-year-year-old tall, thin man presents with sudden onset sharp chest pain and dyspnoea. Examination reveals absent breath sounds on the right and ...

Question

A 23-year-year-old tall, thin man presents with sudden onset sharp chest pain and dyspnoea. Examination reveals absent breath sounds on the right and hyperresonance. What is the best immediate management?

Accepted Answer

Needle aspiration of the pleural cavity

Answer

High-flow oxygen and observe

Answer

Insertion of a chest tube (intercostal drain)

Answer

Immediate CT chest

Answer

Oral analgesia and reassure

mrcem sba MCQ (SBA): Spontaneous Pneumothorax

A 23-year-year-old tall, thin man presents with sudden onset sharp chest pain and dyspnoea. Examination reveals absent breath sounds on the right and hyperresonance. What is the best immediate management?