What is the emergency treatment for a tension pneumothorax?

The emergency treatment for a tension pneumothorax is needle decompression followed by chest tube insertion. When tension pneumothorax occurs, air becomes trapped in the pleural space, creating increasing pressure that collapses the lung and can shift the mediastinum, compromising cardiovascular function.

Needle decompression is the immediate intervention that allows trapped air to escape, quickly relieving pressure on the lungs and heart. This procedure is typically performed with a large-bore needle inserted into the second intercostal space at the midclavicular line on the affected side. Once the immediate pressure is relieved and the patient's condition stabilizes, a chest tube is then inserted to continue to allow air or fluid to escape from the pleural space, facilitating lung re-expansion and proper ventilation.

Oxygen therapy, while beneficial in many respiratory situations, does not address the underlying problem of trapped air. Intubation is more invasive and is typically reserved for cases of respiratory failure where the patient cannot maintain their airway. Fluid resuscitation is important in cases of hemorrhagic shock but does not treat pneumothorax, especially tension pneumothorax, where thoracic pressure is the critical concern. Thus, the correct approach is to first perform needle decom