A patient is admitted to the hospital with injuries from a motor vehicle collision. During the nurse's initial assessment, the patient develops hypotension, and severe jugular distension with a tracheal deviation. Which of the following should the nurse suspect is occurring with this patient?

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The symptoms described are consistent with tension pneumothorax, which occurs when air accumulates in the pleural space and causes the lung to collapse. This can lead to hypotension, distended neck veins, and tracheal deviation, which are all signs of compromised cardiopulmonary status. Hemorrhage and hypovolemic shock may also cause hypotension but would not necessarily cause the jugular distension or tracheal deviation described. Compensatory shock is not a specific diagnosis and would not explain the patient's symptoms.

A Patient Is Admitted to the Hospital with Injuries from a Motor