Question

In a patient with a pneumothorax following a stab wound, at which level is the chest tube best inserted?

1) At the level of the second intercostal space
2) At the level of the fourth intercostal space
3) At the level of the sixth intercostal space
4) At the level of the eighth intercostal space

Answer 1

The chest tube should be best inserted at the level of the second intercostal space.

Step-by-step explanation:

In a patient with a pneumothorax following a stab wound, the chest tube should be best inserted at the level of the second intercostal space.

When air enters the chest cavity, it breaks the attachment between the lungs and the chest wall, potentially causing one or both lungs to collapse. By inserting a chest tube at the level of the second intercostal space, healthcare professionals can reestablish negative pressure and inflate the lungs.