A patient just involved in a motor vehicle accident has sustained blunt chest trauma as part of his injuries.The nurse notes absent breath sounds on the left side.A left-sided pneumothorax is suspected and is further validated when assessment of the trachea reveals what finding?

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

With a pneumothorax,the trachea shifts to the opposite side of the problem; with atelectasis,the trachea shifts to the same side as the problem.Subcutaneous emphysema is more commonly related to a pneumomediastinum and is not specifically related to the trachea but to air trapped in the mediastinum and general neck area.

A Patient Just Involved in a Motor Vehicle Accident Has