Every trauma nurse knows this feeling: your stable patient suddenly starts to decompensate and instinct tells you there’s more to the story. Today’s case starts with a stable, post-arrest patient and ends in a full-blown tension pneumothorax.Hear why this patient went from stable to crashing in minutes, how delayed recognition changed the course of care, what diagnostics and assessments could have caught earlier. Trauma Pete breaks down the tell-tale signs, how it differs from a simple pneumothorax, and why it's so easy to miss in trauma patients.In this episode, you’ll learn which patients are the most at risk, how to spot tension pneumothorax early, and why having a systematic approach to decompression make all the difference!Topics discussed in this episode:Presentation of a stable, post-arrest patientThe patient's rapid decline and first interventionsWhy they misread the signs of tension pneumothoraxPneumothorax in intubated vs. non-intubated patientsThe physiology of tension simple vs. tension pneumothoraxBedside clues and diagnostic signs of tension pneumothoraxEarly intervention and treatment prioritiesEmergent needle decompression: timing, technique, and follow-upChest tube placement and management: tips, troubleshooting, and air leaksMentioned in this episode:Join Rapid Response Academy Fall 2025 Cohort!Click here to learn more:

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