National Physical Therapy Examination (NPTE) Practice Exam

What condition would account for a deviated trachea to the left in a patient presenting with significant shortness of breath?

1. Right lung collapse

2. Left pleural effusion

3. Right hemothorax

4. Left pneumothorax

The correct answer is: Right hemothorax

A deviated trachea can indicate a number of underlying conditions based on directionality and associated symptoms. In this case, a leftward deviation of the trachea usually suggests some form of increased pressure in the left thoracic cavity or a loss of volume on the right side that results in a shift towards the left. This scenario aligns with the presence of a right hemothorax, where blood collects in the pleural cavity on the right side. The accumulation of blood can create pressure that pushes the mediastinum and the trachea to the left. The significant shortness of breath experienced by the patient could be due to the reduced capacity for the right lung to expand and function effectively because of the fluid accumulation. Overall, the mechanism through which a right hemothorax would cause a leftward tracheal deviation makes it the most consistent with the clinical findings described.