Nurse Ruth assessing a patient for tracheal displacement should know that the trachea will deviate toward the
The trachea will shift according to the pressure gradients within the thoracic cavity. 
In tension pneumothorax and hemothorax, accumulation of air or fluid causes a shift away from the injured side. 
If there is no significant air or fluid accumulation, the trachea will not shift.
Tracheal deviation toward the contralateral side in simple pneumothorax is seen when the thoracic contents shift in response to the 
release of normal thoracic pressure gradients on the injured side.
Contralateral side in a simple pneumothorax
Affected side in a hemothorax
Affected side in a tension pneumothorax
Contralateral side in hemothorax