Round 12 (Difficulty Breathing)

CAUTION: THESE NOTES CONTAIN SPOILERS!!!



Case Introduction



A young gentlemen runs out to triage yelling “I can’t breath!” and collapses to the floor in front of the nurse…



Initial Vitals



* Temp 98.8* HR 145* RR 45* BP 60/30* O2 85%



Critical Actions



* Give Supplemental Oxygen* Identify Pneumothorax Prior to Imaging* Correctly Perform Needle Thoracostomy* Correctly Perform Tube Thoracostomy



Final Diagnosis



Pneumothorax Secondary to Penetrating Chest Trauma



Tips and Tricks



Be careful, lack of visual cues during oral cases can mislead you!



Additional Reading



* Thoracic Trauma (EM Clerkship)* NBME Trauma Review (EM Clerkship)