Final answer:
Nursing assessments for pneumothorax complications should primarily focus on assessment of breath sounds and respiratory rate because these directly reflect the primary issue of air in the pleural space affecting lung function.
Step-by-step explanation:
The nursing assessment for pneumothorax complications should include a) Assessment of breath sounds and respiratory rate. This is vital because pneumothorax can lead to diminished or absent breath sounds on the affected side due to air collection in the pleural space. It is also important to monitor respiratory rate as it can increase due to the lungs' compromised ability to oxygenate the blood.
While measurement of blood pressure may be important in the overall assessment of the patient, it is not specifically related to pneumothorax unless the condition has progressed to tension pneumothorax, which is a more severe form that can affect blood pressure. Examination of skin condition can provide indirect signs of hypoxia, such as cyanosis, but is less specific than direct assessment of respiratory function. Observation of neurological responses is important in any emergency situation to assess the impact of hypoxia on brain function, but is not a specific assessment for pneumothorax and its complications.
Additional assessments could include the use of pulse oximetry to check oxygen saturation and possibly spirometry to evaluate lung function more precisely.