A patient with history of chest trauma presents to the emergency depament in severe respiratory distress with a BP of 90/70 mm Hg and a Pulse rate of 120/min. The most likely diagnosis is:
Answer is D (Tension Pneumothorax): Presence of Severe Respiratory Distress in a patient with Hypotension and Tachycardia suggests a diagnosis of Tension Pneumothorax. Hypotension, Tachycardia and Shoness of breath may be seen in Massive Hemothorax, Cardiac Tamp onade and Tension Pneumothorax. Differentiation of these conditions requires fuher clues in the form of tracheal detion (Deted in Pneumothorax), percussion note (Dull in Hemothorax), Jugular Venous Pulse (Normal in Hemothorax), Hea Sounds (Muffled in Cardiac Tamponade). In the absence of such clues, presence of severe respiratory distress ours a diagnosis of Tension Pneumothorax.
Simple Pneumothorax
Hemothorax
Cardiac tamponade
Tension Pneumothorax