You are transporting a 45-year-old male patient who was involved in a high-speed car accident. He is intubated and mechanically ventilated. During the flight, you notice a sudden drop in O2 saturation to 85%, increased peak airway pressures, and diminished breath sounds on the left side. Which of the following is the most likely cause of this patient's acute respiratory distress?
The patient is showing signs of a pneumothorax, which can occur after trauma. The clinical signs of a pneumothorax include sudden hypoxemia, increased peak airway pressures, and reduced breath sounds on the affected side. ARDS and pulmonary embolism are less likely in this acute scenario without other specific preceding conditions. Aspiration would not typically present with diminished breath sounds on only one side.
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