- A. Acute coronary syndrome
- B. Aortic dissection
- C. Pneumonia
- D. Pneumothorax ✓
- E. Pulmonary embolus
A pneumothorax is a condition characterized by the presence of air in the pleural space, leading to lung collapse. The classic presentation includes sudden-onset chest pain, shortness of breath, and decreased breath sounds on the affected side. Tall, thin individuals are at higher risk for spontaneous pneumothorax, especially if they have underlying lung conditions like emphysema or a history of smoking.
In other words, Pneumothorax is a condition characterized by the presence of air or gas in the pleural cavity, leading to lung collapse. The classic presentation of pneumothorax includes chest pain, shortness of breath, and decreased breath sounds on the affected side. In this case, the patient’s tall and thin stature, along with the sudden onset of symptoms and physical examination findings, are highly suggestive of a pneumothorax.