Which of the following is a symptom of a tension pneumothorax?

A symptom of a tension pneumothorax is jugular venous distension (JVD). This occurs due to increased pressure in the thoracic cavity, which impedes venous return to the heart. As the pressure rises, it compresses the vessels, particularly the superior vena cava, leading to an observable swelling in the jugular veins. This is a key clinical sign indicating cardiovascular compromise resulting from the shift in mediastinal structures and impaired cardiac function.

Other symptoms typically associated with tension pneumothorax include respiratory distress, tracheal deviation away from the affected side, and decreased breath sounds on the affected side. These reflect the severe compromise in respiratory and circulatory function that occurs with tension pneumothorax.

The other options do not accurately reflect the pathophysiology of tension pneumothorax. For instance, low heart rate is not typical; instead, you would often see tachycardia as the body tries to compensate for decreased cardiac output. Increased lung sounds are not expected because the lung on the affected side is compromised, leading to diminished or absent breath sounds. Hyperventilation is also not a classic indication of this condition and may occur as a compensatory mechanism in other respiratory issues but not specifically in tension pneum