What is the main concern of a pneumothorax?

• A. Infection risk
• B. That it will turn into a tension pneumothorax
• C. Bleeding into the chest
• D. Blockage of airways

Answer: (B)

A pneumothorax is air in the pleural space that can cause the lung to collapse. The main concern is that air may continue to accumulate and become trapped, creating a tension pneumothorax. In a tension pneumothorax, the rising pressure pushes the mediastinal structures and great vessels, preventing the heart from filling properly and reducing blood return to the heart. This leads to rapidly dropping blood pressure, impaired oxygen delivery, and potential cardiovascular collapse if not treated immediately. That life-threatening pressure buildup is why the primary worry is progression to a tension pneumothorax.

Infection risk, bleeding into the chest, or blockage of the airways are not the immediate, most dangerous progression in this scenario.