Tension Pneumothorax
Clinical features
This is a clinican diagnosis
- History of penetrating trauma, positive pressure ventilation or airways disease
- Air hunger
- Hypotension
- +/- distended neck veins
- +/- hyperresonant on tension pneumothorax side
Management
Do NOT x-ray - this is a clinical diagnosis
- Immediate needle decompression
- Confirm side clinically
- Inform patient
- 14G cannula
- 2nd intercostal space
- Listen for hiss
- Protect with gauze
- Tape and leave in situ
- Prepare chest drain for insertion
