What is an early sign of tension pneumothorax?

An early sign of tension pneumothorax is the absence of breath sounds on one side of the chest. In this condition, air becomes trapped in the pleural space, leading to increased pressure that can collapse the affected lung. The resulting loss of ventilation on the side with the pneumothorax prevents air from entering the lung, which can be detected as absent or diminished breath sounds during auscultation.

This symptom is critical for quick identification and prompt treatment, as a tension pneumothorax can rapidly lead to respiratory failure and cardiovascular compromise, requiring immediate intervention, typically through decompression of the pleural space. Recognizing the absence of breath sounds is essential for combat medics and corpsmen in the field to make timely decisions that could save a patient’s life.