Question

A 28 year old male convenience store clerk was shot during a robbery. When you arrive he is in severe respiratory distress. You find jugular vein distention and absent breath sounds on one side. You should first

Answer 1

Prioritize airway and breathing by performing a needle decompression for suspected tension pneumothorax.

Step-by-step explanation:

As the first step, you should prioritize the patient's airway and breathing. In this case, the patient is in severe respiratory distress with absent breath sounds on one side, indicating a possible pneumothorax. A tension pneumothorax, where air accumulates in the pleural space and puts pressure on the heart and lungs, is a medical emergency that requires immediate intervention.

To address this, you should perform a needle decompression to relieve the pressure in the chest. This involves inserting a large-bore needle or catheter into the affected side of the chest to release the trapped air. Once the tension pneumothorax is treated, further assessment and management can be pursued.