A 30-year-old man is brought to A&E severely breathless after sudden chest trauma. He is tachycardic, hypotensive, with tracheal deviation to the left...

Question

A 30-year-old man is brought to A&E severely breathless after sudden chest trauma. He is tachycardic, hypotensive, with tracheal deviation to the left and absent breath sounds on the right. What is the most appropriate immediate management?

Accepted Answer

Immediate needle decompression of the right chest followed by chest drain

Answer

Arrange an urgent chest X-ray before treatment

Answer

Administer high-flow oxygen only and observe

Answer

Urgent CT scan of the chest

Answer

Start broad-spectrum IV antibiotics

uk-plab-1 MCQ (SBA): Tension pneumothorax

A 30-year-old man is brought to A&E severely breathless after sudden chest trauma. He is tachycardic, hypotensive, with tracheal deviation to the left and absent breath sounds on the right. What is the most appropriate immediate management?