Question

A 25-year-old man presents with pleuritic chest pain and shortness of breath. His chest X-ray shows a spontaneous pneumothorax with a 3 cm rim of air at the apex. What is the most appropriate next step?

Accepted Answer

Aspirate the pneumothorax

Answer

Immediate chest drain insertion

Answer

High-flow oxygen therapy only

Answer

Observe for 24 hours

Answer

Surgical referral for thoracotomy

Practice question

A 25-year-old man presents with pleuritic chest pain and shortness of breath. His chest X-ray shows a spontaneous pneumothorax with a 3 cm rim of air at the apex. What is the most appropriate next step?