The older adult patient with long-term emphysema complains of a sharp pleuritic pain after a severe period of coughing.The patient's heart rate and respiratory rate have increased.Auscultation reveals no breath sounds on the left side.These are signs and symptoms of what condition?

Question

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The symptoms described, including sharp pleuritic pain after coughing, increased heart and respiratory rates, and absence of breath sounds on one side, are indicative of a spontaneous pneumothorax. This condition occurs when air enters the pleural space, causing lung collapse, and is a known complication in patients with chronic lung diseases like emphysema.

The Older Adult Patient with Long-Term Emphysema Complains of a Sharp