Pharmacology Simulation Scenario: Tension Pneumothorax

Abstract

Abstract This resource is a manikin-based simulation case involving a 55-year-old motorcycle rider who was involved in a high-speed collision. He is brought to the emergency room complaining of left-sided chest pain. After a brief period of stabilization, his condition deteriorates as he develops a tension pneumothorax. He subsequently requires needle decompression followed by tube thoracostomy. This resource is one of three respiratory simulation cases developed as part of a second-year medical school pharmacology curriculum. These cases were developed to help medical students integrate basic science principles taught in traditional lectures with real-life clinical scenarios. In this scenario, the learner needs to rapidly assess a patient with a pneumothorax and know different types of local analgesia and their potential side effects in a trauma patient. Finally, the learner must be able to discuss the anatomy of chest tube insertion and then perform a needle decompression of a tension pneumothorax. This simulation scenario has been used by approximately 180 second-year medical students. The feedback we have received has been very favorable, with many of the students requesting that we incorporate more simulation exercises into the basic science curriculum.

Keywords

• Chest Tubes
• Thoracostomy
• Respiratory Insufficiency
• Needle Decompression
• Respiratory Failure
• Pneumothorax