Question

A man was stabbed in the right side of the chest, lateral to the nipple . He is tachypneic, tachycardic, and diaphoretic. His jugular veins are collapsed and breath sounds are difficult to hear on the right side. You should suspect a:

Answer 1

Answer:

The correct answer would be - hemothorax.

Explanation:

Patient with penetrating chest trauma presents with shock is most likely to have hemothorax with the symptoms provided in the question. Hemothorax takes place when blood accumulate in the pleural space and and cause pressure on the lung, leads to respiratory problems like rapid breathing.

Due to low blood volume jugular veins collapsed, rapid breathing or tachypneic, and no breath sounds accompanied by tachycardic, and diaphoretic.

Thus, the correct answer is - hemothorax.