JBL Trauma Practice Test

In a case of tension pneumothorax, distended jugular veins are likely to be present due to the increased pressure in the mediastinal space caused by the accumulation of air in the pleural cavity. This condition compresses the great vessels, including the superior and inferior vena cava, which impedes venous return to the heart. As a result, blood cannot flow effectively back to the heart, leading to elevated central venous pressure, manifesting as distended jugular veins.

The other options do not align with the typical physiological responses seen in tension pneumothorax. While decreased blood pressure may occur as a secondary effect of reduced cardiac output in severe cases, it's not a direct characteristic of tension pneumothorax itself. Increased breath sounds are unlikely since the presence of air in the pleural cavity typically causes decreased or absent breath sounds on the affected side. High heart rate can be a general response to distress and is not specific to tension pneumothorax, as it may also result from many other conditions.