A patient being mechanically ventilated with positive end-expiratory pressure and pressure support totaling 30 mm Hg has developed unequal chest expansion, absent breath sounds on the right, and tracheal deviation to the right
The patient is increasingly tachycardic, anxious, and agitated, and his pulmonary compliance is rapidly decreasing. What is the most appropriate nursing action?
A) Obtain a chest x-ray to rule out pneumothorax.
B) Inititate needle thoracotomy or chest tube insertion.
C) Sedate the patient and evaluate ventilator settings.
D) Obtain arterial blood gases to evaluate gas exchange.
B
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