Your patient has a gunshot wound to the chest. Which of the following dressings would be most appropriate?

In the case of a gunshot wound to the chest, an occlusive dressing with an opening to let air escape is the most appropriate choice. This type of dressing is designed to help prevent air from entering the pleural space while allowing any trapped air (such as from a developing tension pneumothorax) to escape.

An occlusive dressing acts as a barrier against external contaminants and can prevent further damage and infection while also helping to seal the wound against air. The opening is crucial, as it provides an egress for increased pressure in the chest cavity, which can occur due to air accumulating in the pleural space. This management is vital since untreated tension pneumothorax can lead to respiratory distress and decreased cardiac output, which can be life-threatening.

While gauze with direct pressure and thick, moist dressings serve purposes in different types of wounds, they are inadequate for a gunshot wound to the chest as they do not address the specific needs for preventing air entry and allowing air escape. An occlusive dressing without an opening could exacerbate a tension pneumothorax situation, worsening the patient’s condition. Therefore, the choice of an occlusive dressing with an opening strikes the right balance of protection and pressure management for this type of