You are performing a rapid assessment on a 30-year-old male who was involved in a motor-vehicle crash. The patient is conscious, but restless. He complains of difficulty breathing and chest pain. Your assessment reveals diminished breath sounds in the left hemithorax, normal jugular veins, and a midline trachea. His blood pressure is 124/64 mm Hg, heart rate is 120 and regular, and respirations are 26 breaths/min and shallow. Which of the following injuries should you suspect?

A. Moderate hemothorax
B. Simple pneumothorax
C. Myocardial contusion
D. Tension pneumothorax


Answer: B. Simple pneumothorax

Health Professions

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