A 65-year-old patient with repeated episodes of congestive h…

A 65-year-old patient with repeated episodes of congestive heart failure has a chest radiograph taken. It shows the left costophrenic angle to be blunted and an air/fluid level with a meniscus around the left lower lung area. How should this be interpreted?

A sixteen-year-old female is admitted to the emergency room…

A sixteen-year-old female is admitted to the emergency room with chest traumafollowing a motor vehicle accident. She appears anxious and confused.  Abnormal physical findings: Pulse 132, BP 94/40, respirations 28 and shallow.                                                  Chest movement is decreased on the left side.  Trachea is shifted towards the right. Percussion is                                                    hyperresonant on the left.  Breath sounds are absent on left side.  An appropriate course of action should                                                  include which of the following?