A 24-year-old patient presents to the emergency department after sustaining multiple traumatic injuries after a motorcycle accident.Upon examination,you note tachypnea,use of intercostal muscles to breathe,asymmetric chest expansion,and no breath sounds over the left lower lobe.It is most important to suspect:

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The patient's presentation suggests a pneumothorax, which is a condition where air enters the pleural cavity, causing a build-up of pressure and collapsed lung. The tachypnea, use of intercostal muscles to breathe, and asymmetric chest expansion are all signs of respiratory distress. No breath sounds over the left lower lobe suggest that air has entered the pleural space on that side, causing a collapse of the lung. While the other options may also be considered in a trauma patient, the combination of these signs and symptoms is most indicative of a pneumothorax. Immediate intervention, such as chest tube placement, may be required to treat this critical condition.

A 24-Year-Old Patient Presents to the Emergency Department After Sustaining