Free BCEN Certified Flight Registered Nurse (CFRN) Practice Question

The most likely pulmonary injury given the symptoms of dyspnea, decreased breath sounds, and subcutaneous emphysema is a pneumothorax. Pneumothorax occurs when air enters the pleural space, causing lung collapse. Subcutaneous emphysema indicates that air has leaked into the subcutaneous tissue. Hemothorax and pulmonary contusion could cause dyspnea and decreased breath sounds, but they are less likely to cause subcutaneous emphysema. Tension pneumothorax is a more advanced and critical form, often presenting with hypotension and tracheal deviation which are not indicated here.