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Open pneumothorax — DIPIMC MCQ

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

ModeratePre-Hospital TraumaOpen pneumothoraxDIPIMCDipIMC

A 30-year-old has a gunshot wound to the right chest. He is breathing spontaneously, and there is an audible sucking sound at the wound during inspiration. Oxygen saturations are 92 percent.

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

Reveal the answer and explanation

Correct answer: D — Apply a vented chest seal over the wound.

An open pneumothorax is managed with a commercial vented chest seal, which lets air escape on expiration while preventing entry on inspiration, reducing the risk of a tension pneumothorax. A fully occlusive four-sided seal can convert an open pneumothorax into a tension pneumothorax. The patient is monitored for deterioration and decompressed if tension develops.

Reference: ATACC Guidelines