Which symptom is associated with a tension pneumothorax?

A tension pneumothorax occurs when air enters the pleural space and cannot escape, leading to increased pressure that collapses the lung on one side and pushes the mediastinum towards the opposite side. This condition results in significant respiratory distress as the lung expands improperly, leading to inadequate oxygenation.

Respiratory distress is a key symptom since the lung cannot adequately expand, causing difficulty in breathing. Patients may exhibit signs such as rapid breathing, decreased breath sounds on the affected side, and a feeling of severe shortness of breath.

Tracheal deviation is also a hallmark sign of tension pneumothorax. As the pressure builds in the pleural space, it pushes the trachea away from the midline, towards the side opposite to the pneumothorax. This deviation can be observed during a physical examination and it further confirms the presence of excess pressure in the thoracic cavity.

While shallow breathing might occur because of discomfort or pain, it is not definitive for tension pneumothorax. Coughing blood could be indicative of other serious conditions, such as pulmonary embolism or lung injury. Fever and chills typically suggest an infection rather than a mechanical problem like a tension pneumothorax. Thus, the combination of respiratory