A 40-year-old male patient presents to the ED after a motor vehicle collision (MVC) yelling in pain. He is noted to have severe dyspnoea, decreased left-sided chest movement and tracheal deviation to the right side. You are the emergency nurse caring for this patient. What will you do first?

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

EThe patient's symptoms suggest a tension pneumothorax, which is a life-threatening condition requiring immediate intervention. The first step is to ensure the airway is patent (E) to maintain airway patency and support breathing. Following this, initiating high-flow oxygen via a non-rebreather mask (C) is crucial to address the severe dyspnea and improve oxygenation. These interventions are critical initial steps before proceeding with more invasive procedures like needle thoracentesis or chest tube insertion to relieve the pressure in the chest.

A 40-Year-Old Male Patient Presents to the ED After a Motor