A patient admitted to the emergency department following chest trauma has tracheal deviation to the left.The nurse would prepare for which emergency medical intervention?
A)Open thoracotomy
B)Placement of a chest tube
C)Open excision of the pericardial sac
D)Immediate cardiopulmonary resuscitation

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Tracheal deviation to the left may indicate a tension pneumothorax, which is a medical emergency. The best intervention would be the placement of a chest tube to relieve the pressure and restore normal breathing. Open thoracotomy and open excision of the pericardial sac are not appropriate interventions for this condition. Immediate cardiopulmonary resuscitation may be needed if the patient experiences respiratory or cardiac arrest, but it is not the first-line intervention for tracheal deviation to the left.

A Patient Admitted to the Emergency Department Following Chest Trauma