NCLEX-RN · Question #45
Which of the following signs and symptoms indicates a tension pneumothorax as compared to an open pneumothorax?
The correct answer is C. Mediastinal tissue and organ shifting. (A, B, D) These occur in both tension pneumothorax and open pneumothorax. (C) 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…
Question
Which of the following signs and symptoms indicates a tension pneumothorax as compared to an open pneumothorax?
Options
- AVentilation-perfusion (V./Q.) mismatch
- BHypoxemia and respiratory acidosis
- CMediastinal tissue and organ shifting
- DDecreased tidal volume and tachypnea
How the community answered
(36 responses)- A3% (1)
- B19% (7)
- C69% (25)
- D8% (3)
Explanation
(A, B, D) These occur in both tension pneumothorax and open pneumothorax. (C) 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 willoccur. The other three options will occur in both types of pneumothorax.
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