A 25-year-old male presents to the emergency department with sudden onset of sharp chest pain and shortness of breath after a forceful coughing episode. On examination, you note decreased breath sounds on the right side and tracheal deviation to the left. Which of the following is the most appropriate immediate intervention?
The correct answer is to perform needle decompression. The patient's symptoms and physical examination findings strongly suggest a tension pneumothorax, which is a life-threatening condition requiring immediate intervention. Needle decompression is the fastest way to relieve the pressure in the pleural space and stabilize the patient before definitive treatment with chest tube placement.
Oxygen administration, while important, is not sufficient to address the underlying problem. Chest X-ray would delay necessary treatment and is not needed to diagnose tension pneumothorax when clinical signs are present. Administering pain medication would not address the immediate life-threatening condition and could potentially mask symptoms.
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BCEN CEN
Respiratory Emergencies
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