nbme - akshaya007

[ArchivalUser]

A 24-year-old man had the sudden onset of pain in the right side of his chest that has become increasingly severe. He is now having difficulty breathing. His temperature, blood pressure, and pulse are normal. An x-ray film of the chest is shown. Which of the following is the most appropriate next step in management?

A) Bed rest and sedative therapy
B) Antibiotic therapy
C) Anticoagulant therapy
D) Tube thoracostomy
E) Immediate thoracotomy

[ArchivalUser]

no pic is attached but sounds like a PE from the description but can't say for certain..so C?

[ArchivalUser]

also sounds like a simple pneumothorax. Suggest you google x-rays for simple pneumothorax and PE (though PE may have tachycardia but not usually the case in simple pneumothorax except if tension pneumothorax which is not the case)

[ArchivalUser]

D for pneumothorax