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Open pneumothorax — DIPIMC MCQ

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

ModeratePre-Hospital TraumaOpen pneumothoraxDIPIMCDipIMC

A conscious man has a single gunshot wound to the right chest. He is breathing spontaneously and you can see and hear air bubbling through the open wound with each breath.

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

Reveal the answer and explanation

Correct answer: D — Apply a vented (valved) chest seal over the wound

Explanation lettering: C = shown as A · E = shown as B · B = shown as C · A = shown as E

An open ('sucking') chest wound is managed with a vented or valved chest seal, which seals the defect while allowing trapped air to escape and so reduces the risk of a tension pneumothorax developing. A fully occlusive four-sided dressing (A) seals the air in and can precipitate tension. Packing a chest wound (C) risks injuring the lung and is not indicated. A vented seal is the preferred device for penetrating chest trauma.

Reference: JRCALC Clinical Guidelines; ATACC