North Carolina EMT State Practice Exam

Which condition is specifically indicated by tension pneumothorax?

1. Circuit failure of the heart

2. Difficulty breathing due to collapsed lung

3. Increased heart rate

4. Low blood pressure

The correct answer is: Difficulty breathing due to collapsed lung

Tension pneumothorax occurs when air enters the pleural space and becomes trapped, leading to increased pressure that collapses the affected lung and compresses surrounding structures, including the heart and main blood vessels. This results in significant difficulty breathing, as the lung cannot expand properly to exchange air effectively. The indication of difficulty breathing due to a collapsed lung accurately reflects the physiological consequences of tension pneumothorax, as the accumulation of air in the pleural cavity prevents normal lung function, leading to compromised ventilation and respiratory distress. While other options like increased heart rate or low blood pressure can be associated with various forms of respiratory distress or hypoxia, they are not specific indicators of tension pneumothorax itself. Thus, the proper alignment of the condition with the symptom of difficulty breathing due to the collapse of the lung positions this answer as the most appropriate response.