Which vital sign finding would indicate a potential tension pneumothorax?

Decreased breath sounds on one side of the chest is a crucial indicator of a potential tension pneumothorax. In this condition, air becomes trapped in the pleural space and exerts pressure on the lung, leading to a collapse. The trapped air pushes against the lung and mediastinum, which can cause diminished or absent breath sounds on the affected side when assessed through auscultation. This finding is significant because it highlights impaired ventilation due to the increased intrathoracic pressure, which is characteristic of a tension pneumothorax.

Other vital sign changes, such as elevated blood pressure or increased heart rate, may occur in various types of respiratory distress or shock, but they are not specific to tension pneumothorax. Hypercapnia, which refers to elevated levels of carbon dioxide in the blood, is also a general finding associated with respiratory compromise rather than a direct indication of tension pneumothorax. Together, these factors reinforce the importance of auscultation in identifying the presence of tension pneumothorax and guiding timely intervention.