Status Asthmaticus With Development of Tension Pneumothorax Post-Intubation

Abstract

Abstract This resource is a simulation case using a high-fidelity human patient simulator. The case involves a patient who presents to the emergency department in status asthmaticus and does not respond to appropriate treatment. The patient requires intubation and subsequently stabilizes with continued treatment. After a brief period of stabilization and improvement, the patient starts to acutely deteriorate as he develops a pneumothorax from positive pressure ventilation. This rapidly develops into a tension pneumothorax, which requires needle decompression followed by tube thoracostomy in order for the patient to be resuscitated. The case is designed to provide an assessment of the resident's ability to clinically reassess a patient who deteriorates following initial resuscitation.

Keywords

• Chest Tubes
• Intubation
• Emergency Airway
• Status Asthmaticus
• Respiratory Insufficiency
• Tension Pneumothorax