What is the recommended treatment for a tension pneumothorax?

The recommended treatment for a tension pneumothorax is needle decompression followed by chest tube placement. This approach is critical because a tension pneumothorax occurs when air becomes trapped in the pleural space, leading to increasing pressure that can compromise respiratory and cardiovascular function.

Needle decompression involves placing a large-bore needle into the pleural space to quickly release the built-up air, which alleviates pressure on the lungs and allows them to re-expand. This immediate intervention is vital to prevent further deterioration of the patient's condition. Following this emergency procedure, the placement of a chest tube is necessary to continuously drain air or fluid from the pleural space, ensuring that the lung can fully expand and function properly.

While oxygen therapy, intravenous fluids, and pain relief are important aspects of general patient care or management of other conditions, they do not address the underlying issue of a tension pneumothorax, which requires rapid intervention to prevent life-threatening complications.