Small primary spontaneous pneumothorax — RCPSC EM MCQ
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Correct answer: B — Place a small-bore catheter for aspiration or one-way-valve management
Explanation lettering: C = shown as A · D = shown as C · A = shown as D
B is correct for a stable primary pneumothorax larger than 3 cm. C is the conservative pathway for smaller, minimally symptomatic disease. D is unnecessarily invasive initially. E is a temporary tension-pneumothorax manoeuvre. A is reserved for selected persistent or recurrent disease.
Reference: Emergency Care BC, Spontaneous Pneumothorax—Management: https://emergencycarebc.ca/clinical_resource/clinical-summary/spontaneous-pneumothorax-management/