Tension Pneumothorax

🔑 Key Priorities

  • Recognise rapid deterioration and unequal breath sounds

  • Immediate needle decompression followed by definitive chest drain

🧠 Team Actions

Role

Task

Team Leader

Recognise pattern, direct decompression

Airway Manager

Provide 100% Oâ‚‚ and assist ventilation

Assistant

Perform needle thoracostomy and prepare ICC

🧭 Management Algorithm

  1. Sudden hypoxia, hypotension, unilateral breath sounds → suspect tension PTX

  2. Immediate 100% Oâ‚‚, call for help

  3. Needle decompression: 2nd ICS midclavicular or 5th ICS anterior axillary

  4. Insert large bore cannula

  5. Prepare for intercostal catheter (ICC) placement

  6. Reassess for resolution of signs

🔄 Ideal Crisis Flow

        Sudden Collapse with Unilateral Signs
                    ↓
           100% Oâ‚‚ + Call for Help
                    ↓
      Needle Decompression + Prepare ICC
                    ↓
         Reassess + Insert Chest Drain

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