Question

A nurse working in the emergency department is caring for a client following an acute chest trauma. Which of the following findings indicates to the nurse that the client is possibly experiencing a tension pneumothorax?

A. Collapsed neck veins on the affected side
B. collapse neck veins on the unaffected side
C. tracheal deviation to the affected side
D. tracheal deviation to the unaffected side

Answer 1

A finding that indicates a possible tension pneumothorax is tracheal deviation to the unaffected side.

Step-by-step explanation:

Tension pneumothorax is a condition where air accumulates in the pleural space, causing the lung to collapse and exerting pressure on the heart and major blood vessels. One of the findings that indicates a possible tension pneumothorax is a tracheal deviation to the unaffected side. In tension pneumothorax, the affected lung collapses and pushes the trachea away from the affected side toward the unaffected side.