skip to main content

Open pneumothorax — DipIMC MCQ

Instant feedback + full explanation. One question, done properly.

ModeratePre-Hospital Trauma ManagementOpen pneumothoraxDipIMC

A woman has a penetrating lateral chest wound with air movement through the wound. She is tachypnoeic but has a normal blood pressure and no signs of tension physiology. What is the most appropriate management?

Educational content. Not a substitute for clinical judgement or local policy.

Reveal the answer and explanation

Correct answer: C — Cover the wound with a simple occlusive dressing and observe closely

Option C is correct because An open pneumothorax should be sealed while monitoring for development of tension pneumothorax. Option B is less appropriate because watchful waiting risks deterioration or delays definitive care; option A is less appropriate because the clinical risk exceeds that destination or timeframe. Option E is less appropriate because it is plausible in a different scenario but suboptimal for the features described; option D is less appropriate because analgesia is important but not sufficient as the primary intervention. Clinical pearl: in DipIMC-style questions, the best answer is the intervention that changes outcome earliest in the pre-hospital phase.

Reference: NICE Major Trauma NG39; JRCALC Guidelines