Your Patient Is a 27-Year-Old Man with One Stab Wound

Multiple Choice

Your patient is a 27-year-old man with one stab wound at the fifth intercostal space posteriorly, on the right. He is ambulatory at the scene, but dyspneic and has air movement at the site of the injury. Which of the following should you do first?

A) Apply oxygen by nonrebreather.
B) Cover the wound with your gloved hand.
C) Prepare an occlusive dressing.
D) Perform a needle thoracostomy.