AEMCA Practice Exam

Which of the following is NOT a sign of a hemothorax?

1. Pale skin

2. Hyperventilation

3. Pink frothy sputum

4. Low blood pressure

The correct answer is: Hyperventilation

Hyperventilation is typically associated with conditions involving increased respiratory drive or metabolic acidosis, such as anxiety, pain, or hypoxia. In the context of a hemothorax, the body may respond with shallow breathing or respiratory distress rather than hyperventilation. A hemothorax can lead to several physiological changes, including pale skin due to decreased blood volume and oxygenation, pink frothy sputum resulting from blood in the airways, and low blood pressure due to blood loss and inadequate circulation. These signs reflect the physiological impact of internal bleeding and the body's response to compromised respiratory function. In contrast, hyperventilation is not a typical sign of hemothorax and is often more indicative of anxiety or other respiratory-related issues rather than blood loss or internal injury.