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Altitude and pneumothorax transfer — DipIMC MCQ

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HardRetrieval MedicineAltitude and pneumothorax transferDipIMC

A 29-year-old climber has a small traumatic pneumothorax diagnosed by portable ultrasound after a fall. He is stable on oxygen, but helicopter evacuation would require ascent to 5,000 feet and the nearest road route is slow but feasible. What is the most appropriate management?

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

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Correct answer: A — Discuss decompression risk and choose a plan that avoids expansion or treats before flight

Gas expands with altitude, so a pneumothorax can enlarge during flight; the plan must account for this through route choice, altitude profile or drainage when indicated. Nitrous oxide can worsen expansion of trapped gas. Delay until resolution is inappropriate if trauma care is required.

Reference: Retrieval medicine principles; JRCALC Guidelines