Question

You are assessing a young male who was stabbed in the right lower chest. He is tachypneic, tachycardiac, and diaphoretic. His jugular veins are collapsed and his breath sounds are equal bilaterally. You should suspect a:

A) Pneumothorax
B) Hemothorax
C) Ruptured spleen
D) Liver laceration

Answer 1

The symptoms described are suggestive of a pneumothorax, which is a condition where air enters the pleural space causing the lung to collapse. This can result in tachypnea, tachycardia, diaphoresis, collapsed jugular veins, and equal breath sounds bilaterally.

Step-by-step explanation:

The symptoms described in the scenario, including tachypnea (rapid breathing), tachycardia (rapid heart rate), diaphoresis (sweating), collapsed jugular veins, and equal breath sounds bilaterally, are suggestive of a pneumothorax. A pneumothorax is a condition in which air enters the pleural space, causing the lung to collapse and putting pressure on the diaphragm. This can result in the symptoms mentioned.