🏥 USMLE Exam Prep

Tension pneumothorax requires immediate:

A CT scan
B Needle decompression at the second intercostal space, midclavicular line, followed by chest tube
C Observation
D Antibiotics

✓ Correct Answer: Option B

Tension PTX: medical emergency. Air trapped in pleural space → mediastinal shift → obstructive shock. Immediate needle decompression (2nd ICS MCL or 5th ICS MAL) → chest tube. Do NOT delay for imaging.

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