A patient is diagnosed with a right tension pneumothorax. The nurse would understand that the pneunothorax is worsening when which of the following is observed?
Explanation
Tracheal deviation to the unaffected side is characteristic of a worsening tension pneumothorax.
Other signs would include asymmetry of thorax and breath sounds, worsening cyanosis, tachypnea and displacement of the point of maximal impulse (PMI)
Oxygen demands increased as there is less functional pulmonary capillary bed for diffusion.
Bradycardia and crackles are not symptoms of pneumothorax