North Carolina EMT State Practice Exam 2025 – The Comprehensive All-In-One Guide to Exam Success!

The indication of worsening tension pneumothorax is characterized by bulging intercostal muscles. This sign reflects the increased pressure within the pleural space that occurs as air continues to accumulate and cannot escape. As pressure builds, it exerts outward force on the chest wall, leading to visible bulging between the ribs. This can be a critical indicator during your assessment, suggesting that immediate intervention is necessary to relieve the pressure and avoid potential respiratory and cardiovascular failure.

Other signs that may accompany or precede bulging intercostal muscles include difficulty breathing, decreased breath sounds on the affected side, and hypotension. However, bulging intercostal muscles specifically highlights the significant and worsening pressure within the thoracic cavity and serves as a notable visual cue in the assessment of a patient with tension pneumothorax.