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Tension pneumothorax — ABEM Board MCQ

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EasyTraumaTension pneumothoraxABEM Board

A 27-year-old man arrives after a motorcycle crash. Triage acuity is ESI 1; BP 78/42 mm Hg, HR 138/min, RR 34/min, SpO2 82%. He has severe respiratory distress, tracheal deviation to the left, absent breath sounds on the right, and distended neck veins. Which of the following is the most important immediate intervention?

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Correct answer: D — Perform immediate needle decompression followed by tube thoracostomy

Tension pneumothorax is a clinical diagnosis in unstable trauma and requires immediate decompression before imaging.

Reference: ATLS trauma guidance