The Master Surgeon | Free Multiple Choice Questions (MCQs)

QUESTION NO

182

A 22 years old male presents with sudden onset chest pain and breathlessness. The pain is located on the left side of his chest. It is sharp and worsens when he breathes in. He has no medical history of note and does not take any medication. He is a current cannabis smoker and drinks alcohol occasionally. His observations are as follows saturations 93%, RR28, HR110 bpm and BP 96/52. The left side of his chest is hyperresonant on percussion with reduced breath sounds. His trachea is not deviated. A chest X ray confirms a left sided pneumothorax with a 3cm rim. What is the most appropriate management plan?

Please select one of the following:

Discharge with GP follow up
Attempt aspiration
Insert chest drain
Admit for overnight observation
Insert large bore cannula into the left 2nd intercostal space

Question By Dr Ley Taing Chan MBBS, BA.