Question

A 30-year-old man presents following a stab wound to the left chest. He is tachycardic, hypotensive and short of breath. Chest X-ray shows a large left pleural fluid level with mediastinal shift. What is the most appropriate immediate management?

Accepted Answer

Insert a large-bore intercostal chest drain on the left side

Answer

Needle aspiration only

Answer

Arrange CT chest before intervention

Answer

Observe and repeat chest X-ray in 6 hours

Answer

Start anticoagulation

Practice question

A 30-year-old man presents following a stab wound to the left chest. He is tachycardic, hypotensive and short of breath. Chest X-ray shows a large left pleural fluid level with mediastinal shift. What is the most appropriate immediate management?