Difficulty: Medium
Average Score: 64%
Simulated
Passage / Scenario
HistoryA 28-year-old male with no significant past medical history presents to the emergency department with sudden-onset sharp chest pain and shortness of breath.
He reports that the pain started while he was lifting weights at the gym.
Physical Examination
On physical examination, you note decreased breath sounds on the right side of the chest and hyperresonance on percussion.
A chest X-ray reveals a visceral pleural line and absent vascular markings on the right side.
Which of the following is the most appropriate initial management for this patient?
Correct answer
A
Rationale
The presentation and findings suggest a pneumothorax, requiring immediate needle decompression and chest tube insertion to relieve pleural pressure.