Difficulty: Medium
Average Score: 69%
Full-length
Which of the following signs and symptoms indicates a tension pneumothorax as compared to an open pneumothorax?
Correct answer
C
Rationale
The tension pneumothorax acts like a one-way valve so that the pneumothorax increases with each breath. Eventually, it occupies enough space to shift mediastinal tissue toward the unaffected side away from the midline. Tracheal deviation, movement of point of maximum impulse, and decreased cardiac output will occur. The other three options will occur in both types of pneumothorax.