MCOLES State Licensing Practice Exam

What is the best method for treating a victim of pneumothorax?

1. Leave the wound open to breathe

2. Cover the wound with an air-tight seal

3. Apply a tourniquet around the chest

4. Apply pressure on the wound directly

The correct answer is: Cover the wound with an air-tight seal

Covering the wound with an air-tight seal is the best method for treating a victim of pneumothorax. This approach is critical because it prevents air from entering the pleural space, allowing the collapsed lung to re-expand. In the case of an open pneumothorax (often referred to as a "sucking" chest wound), covering the wound with an airtight dressing helps to create a one-way valve effect. This allows air to escape from the pleural space while preventing additional air from entering it, which can exacerbate the pneumothorax and lead to more severe respiratory distress. Leaving the wound open to breathe can lead to a significant increase in air entering the pleural cavity, worsening the situation and potentially leading to tension pneumothorax, which is a life-threatening condition. Applying a tourniquet is inappropriate, as this can cut off circulation to the area and is not a treatment for pneumothorax. Similarly, applying pressure directly to the wound does not address the primary concern of air accumulation in the pleural space and could worsen the lung's inability to expand properly.