After blunt chest trauma, a patient has worsening hypoxia, severe respiratory distress and profound hypotension. Breath sounds are markedly reduced

Question

After blunt chest trauma, a patient has worsening hypoxia, severe respiratory distress and profound hypotension. Breath sounds are markedly reduced on the left. The patient is not yet intubated and a pre-hospital critical-care team is present. Which management principle is most appropriate?

Accepted Answer

Perform chest decompression and reassess for persistent tension physiology

Answer

Give crystalloid first because haemorrhage may be contributing to hypotension

Answer

Await CT because reduced breath sounds cannot guide pre-hospital intervention

Answer

Use a simple occlusive dressing because all chest trauma is managed identically

Answer

Insert a definitive chest drain before deciding whether decompression is required

Massive haemothorax — DIPIMC MCQ

After blunt chest trauma, a patient has worsening hypoxia, severe respiratory distress and profound hypotension. Breath sounds are markedly reduced on the left. The patient is not yet intubated and a pre-hospital critical-care team is present. Which management principle is most appropriate?