EM Cases · Pneumothorax
Tension pneumothorax — clinical decompression resus station
ACEM Fellowship OSCE resus station testing clinical diagnosis of tension pneumothorax, immediate needle decompression at the modern preferred site, definitive chest drain, and avoidance of imaging delay.
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Target exams
ACEMFRCEMABEMFRCPCCCFPEMEBEEM
Prompt
A ventilated trauma patient who suddenly desaturates with high airway pressures and obstructive shock physiology.
Station brief
Format. Clinical-management (resus) station, 11 minutes. You lead the trauma bay.
Candidate instructions. The patient is already intubated after an RTC. Manage the sudden deterioration. State landmarks and sequence aloud. [1]
References1ShowHide
- [1]MacDuff A, Arnold A, Harvey J, et al. Management of spontaneous pneumothorax: British Thoracic Society Pleural Disease Guideline 2010. Thorax, 2010.PMID 20696690