Progressive Dyspnea 2 Weeks in Surgery — 35yo Man | Trauma Surgery | SMLE Q#17057
SMLE Question #17057
Surgery
Trauma Surgery
Objective: OBJ-TRM-AIRWAY-01
Last updated: February 2026
A 35-year-old man presents with progressive dyspnea 2 weeks after a motor vehicle collision. He has right-sided pleuritic chest discomfort. Examination shows dullness to percussion and decreased breath sounds over the right lung base. Chest X-ray demonstrates a large homogeneous opacity with a meniscus sign occupying much of the right hemithorax. What is the most appropriate next step in management?
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