Which of the following is a late sign of tension pneumothorax?

Enhance your paramedic skills with the Platinum Paramedic Test. Dive into comprehensive quiz formats with detailed explanations and solutions. Prepare effectively for your certification!

Multiple Choice

Which of the following is a late sign of tension pneumothorax?

In tension pneumothorax, signs appear as the pressure in the chest builds and starts to affect structures inside the thorax. Early clues come from the patient’s struggle to breathe, rapid heart rate, and exam findings like a hyperresonant chest and reduced breath sounds on the affected side. As the condition worsens and intrathoracic pressure climbs further, the mediastinum shifts away from the affected side, which can cause the trachea to deviate. That shift takes a substantial amount of pressure and time to develop, so tracheal deviation is a late sign. Recognizing it means the situation has progressed to a hazardous point requiring immediate intervention.

In tension pneumothorax, signs appear as the pressure in the chest builds and starts to affect structures inside the thorax. Early clues come from the patient’s struggle to breathe, rapid heart rate, and exam findings like a hyperresonant chest and reduced breath sounds on the affected side. As the condition worsens and intrathoracic pressure climbs further, the mediastinum shifts away from the affected side, which can cause the trachea to deviate. That shift takes a substantial amount of pressure and time to develop, so tracheal deviation is a late sign. Recognizing it means the situation has progressed to a hazardous point requiring immediate intervention.

More practice questions