A 50-year-old presents with hypotension, hypoxemia, and tracheal deviation to the left. Tests reveal that the air pressure in the pleural cavity exceeds barometric pressure in the atmosphere
Based upon these assessment findings, what does the nurse suspect the patient is experiencing?
a. Pleural effusion
b. Tension pneumothorax
c. Open pneumothorax
d. Transudative pneumothorax
ANS: B
Tracheal deviation suggests tension pneumothorax, not pleural effusion. With an open pneumo-thorax, a sucking sound would be heard without tracheal deviation. Tracheal deviation suggests a tension, not transudative pneumothorax.
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