A 25-year-old man with penetrating chest trauma has hypotension, severe dyspnea, tracheal deviation, and absent breath sounds on the left. Oxygen is

Question

A 25-year-old man with penetrating chest trauma has hypotension, severe dyspnea, tracheal deviation, and absent breath sounds on the left. Oxygen is being given. Portable chest radiograph is not yet available. Which of the following is the most appropriate next step in management?

Accepted Answer

Perform immediate needle decompression followed by chest tube placement

Answer

Start anticoagulation

Answer

Wait for chest radiograph

Answer

Give diuretics

Answer

Perform outpatient spirometry

Tension pneumothorax treatment — USMLE Step 3 MCQ

A 25-year-old man with penetrating chest trauma has hypotension, severe dyspnea, tracheal deviation, and absent breath sounds on the left. Oxygen is being given. Portable chest radiograph is not yet available. Which of the following is the most appropriate next step in management?