Pneumothorax

A 28-year-old male with a history of severe emphysema is admitted to the emergency department with acute shortness of breath and pleuritic chest pain. On assessment, the nurse notes diminished breath sounds on the right side, tracheal deviation to the left, and hyperresonance to percussion over the right chest. Which of the following is the priority nursing action?

• A. Administer a nebulized bronchodilator.

• B. Prepare for immediate chest tube insertion.

• C. Obtain a sputum culture and sensitivity.

• D. Initiate intravenous antibiotic therapy.

Which of the following patients is at the highest risk for developing a spontaneous pneumothorax?

• A. A 70-year-old female with a 40-pack-year smoking history.

• B. A 25-year-old male with Marfan syndrome who is tall and thin.

• C. A 50-year-old male with well-controlled type 2 diabetes mellitus.

• D. A 60-year-old female with a history of mild asthma.