A patient presents with chest trauma from a motor vehicle accident.Upon assessment,the nurse documents that the patient is complaining of dyspnea,shortness of breath,tachypnea,and tracheal deviation to the right.In addition,the patient's tongue is blue-gray.Based on this assessment data,what additional assessment findings would the nurse expect to find?

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The clinical picture described is most consistent with left pneumothorax.This would cause the trachea to deviate to the right,away from the increasing pressure of the left.A pneumothorax this severe would completely collapse the left lung,thus causing absent breath sounds in that lung.The right lung fields would not be affected.Kussmaul breathing pattern is rapid,deep and labored.

A Patient Presents with Chest Trauma from a Motor Vehicle