QuestionSBA
QuestionChoice
Flail chest describes 2 or more contiguous rib fracture that results in destabilisation of the chest wall and results in paradoxical movement of the ribcage during the breath cycle
10026753
d
Flail chest
QuestionChoice
A catastrophic haemorrhage may cause his fall in blood pressure but does not explain the asymmetrical chest expansion or tracheal deviation
10026751
b
Catastrophic haemorrhage
QuestionChoice
Cardiac tamponade describes the accumulation of fluid in the pericardiac sac and results in a decrease in cardiac output. It would not, however, lead to a mediastinal shift or absent breath sounds seen in this patient.
10026754
e
Cardiac tamponade
QuestionChoice
Tension pneumothorax describes the accumulation of air within the pleural cavity which causes a mediastinal shift. This has led to his trachea deviating to the left and reduced breath sounds on the right. The increase in intrathoracic pressure prevents the return of blood to the heart and leads to hypotension.
10026750
a
Tension pneumothorax
QuestionChoice
Spontaneous pneumothorax also describes an accumulation of air within the pleural cavity but it occurs without any evidence of trauma/iatrogenic causes
10026752
c
Spontaneous pneumothorax
Concept
Chapter
2693
3899
Pneumothorax
Topic
132
Respiratory
17748
A 37-year-old man is brought into A&E after being in a traffic accident. On examination, he has a very fast respiratory rate. His trachea is deviated to the right. He has asymmetrical chest expansion and absent breath sounds on the left. His observations show RR 30 bpm, HR 118 bpm, BP 84/66 mmHg and O2 89% on air.

What is the most likely cause of his condition?
a