Trauma: tension pneumothorax: practice question

A General Surgery question in the style of the NEET PG paper. Answer it first, then read why the right option is right and why each of the others is wrong.

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General Surgery · Trauma: tension pneumothorax

Sample item

Hypotension, unilateral absent breath sounds and tracheal deviation after chest trauma require what immediate action?

Original practice item, not a recalled exam question. Nothing here is recorded.

The answer and the reasoning

C. Immediate chest decompression

Tension pneumothorax is a clinical diagnosis causing obstructive shock. Decompress immediately, then place a definitive chest drain.

Option by option

  • A. Wait for chest radiograph

    Radiography delays lifesaving decompression.

  • B. Give diuretics

    Diuretics do not relieve intrathoracic pressure.

  • C. Immediate chest decompression (correct)

    Correct. Treatment must not wait for imaging.

  • D. Insert nasogastric tube

    A gastric tube does not treat tension physiology.

Source note: Original NextPrep sample item — pending expert review. This item is original practice material awaiting independent expert review, so confirm important facts in a standard textbook.

More General Surgery questions

Questions about this General Surgery question

What is the answer to this General Surgery question?

The best answer is C, Immediate chest decompression. Tension pneumothorax is a clinical diagnosis causing obstructive shock.

Why is "Wait for chest radiograph" not the answer?

Radiography delays lifesaving decompression.

Why is "Give diuretics" not the answer?

Diuretics do not relieve intrathoracic pressure.

Why is "Insert nasogastric tube" not the answer?

A gastric tube does not treat tension physiology.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Trauma: tension pneumothorax in General Surgery. Decompress immediately, then place a definitive chest drain.

How hard is this question?

We tag it as an application question: it asks you to use a fact on a patient or a finding. The tag is our own editorial judgement, not an official difficulty rating, so read the reason for every option, not only the answer.

How should I study Trauma: tension pneumothorax?

Learn classic signs and eponyms alongside what they diagnose. Then use the flashcards and the other General Surgery questions on this site to test what stuck.

Is this a real NEET PG question?

No. It is an original practice item (editorial status: sample, version 1). NextPrep does not publish recalled or leaked questions, and independent faculty review of this item has not been completed yet, so confirm important facts in a standard textbook.