Question

A 19-year-old man presents with sudden pleuritic chest pain and dyspnoea. CXR shows a 30% right-sided primary spontaneous pneumothorax; he is stable and not breathless at rest. What is the recommended initial management?

Accepted Answer

Simple aspiration

Answer

High-flow oxygen and observation

Answer

Immediate chest drain insertion

Answer

Thoracotomy and pleurodesis

Answer

Oral antibiotics and review

Practice question

A 19-year-old man presents with sudden pleuritic chest pain and dyspnoea. CXR shows a 30% right-sided primary spontaneous pneumothorax; he is stable and not breathless at rest. What is the recommended initial management?