Final answer:
The student likely has a spontaneous pneumothorax, characterized by tracheal shift and absent breath sounds on one side. Initial treatment includes oxygen and chest tube insertion. If the lung does not re-expand, additional procedures may be necessary.
Step-by-step explanation:
Treatment for Tracheal Shift and Absent Breath Sounds
The scenario described suggests the 18-year-old female college student could be experiencing a spontaneous pneumothorax, a condition where air enters the pleural space causing the lung to collapse. This is supported by the tracheal shift to the left and absent breath sounds on the right. Initial treatment for a pneumothorax typically includes oxygen therapy and the insertion of a chest tube to evacuate the air and allow the lung to re-expand. If the lung does not expand after these interventions, further procedures such as suction, longer-term chest drainage, or surgery might be required.
The presence of sharp chest pain and shortness of breath (SOB) in this case requires immediate attention and treatment. While a precise diagnosis must be made with imaging, such as a chest radiograph, and possibly a CT scan, the tracheal shift indicates urgency, as it points to significant pressure changes within the thoracic cavity that can affect overall cardiovascular stability.