A 24-year-old with suspected pneumothorax after sudden pleuritic pain; CXR shows large right-sided pneumothorax with 3 cm apical pleural line and medi...

Question

A 24-year-old with suspected pneumothorax after sudden pleuritic pain; CXR shows large right-sided pneumothorax with 3 cm apical pleural line and mediastinal shift, BP 86/58, JVD, trachea deviated left. Best immediate management?

Accepted Answer

Needle decompression followed by chest tube placement

Answer

High-flow oxygen only

Answer

Order CT scan to confirm

Answer

Noninvasive ventilation

Answer

Thoracentesis

us-abem MCQ (SBA): Tension pneumothorax

A 24-year-old with suspected pneumothorax after sudden pleuritic pain; CXR shows large right-sided pneumothorax with 3 cm apical pleural line and mediastinal shift, BP 86/58, JVD, trachea deviated left. Best immediate management?