PAEA Surgery End Of Rotation (EOR) Practice Exam

What immediate action should be taken for a patient experiencing shock due to a pneumothorax?

1. Intubation

2. Oxygen administration

3. Chest physiotherapy

4. Intravenous fluids

The correct answer is: Oxygen administration

In the case of a patient experiencing shock due to a pneumothorax, the immediate action of administering oxygen is critical. Pneumothorax can lead to decreased lung volume and impaired gas exchange, which in turn can result in hypoxia and shock. By administering supplemental oxygen, the goal is to improve oxygenation and help address hypoxemia, which is a direct consequence of the impaired ability of the lungs to oxygenate blood effectively. Oxygen therapy is also vital in stabilizing the patient's condition while further interventions, such as chest tube placement to evacuate the air in the pleural space, are arranged. Providing high-flow oxygen can enhance the oxygen saturation of hemoglobin in the blood, thus potentially reversing the effects of inadequate tissue perfusion. The other options, while important in the management of shock and pneumothorax, are not the immediate priorities. Intubation may become necessary later if the patient is unable to maintain adequate ventilation or consciousness but is not the first step. Chest physiotherapy is not relevant to the acute management of a pneumothorax. Intravenous fluids can be beneficial for volume resuscitation in cases of shock, but addressing the hypoxemia through oxygen administration is paramount in this scenario.