Questions and Answers
What should you prepare for in addition to providing supplemental oxygen to a 28-year-old male struck in the chest?
immediate transport
What occurs in a flail chest?
What condition should you suspect for a patient with a flail segment and respiratory distress?
pulmonary contusion
A simple pneumothorax is commonly caused by blunt chest trauma.
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What would MOST likely result from a spinal cord injury at the level of C7?
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An open pneumothorax occurs when air enters the pleural space from outside the body.
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Children are often 'belly breathers' because _______.
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Closed chest injuries are typically caused by _______.
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Which additional assessment finding should increase suspicion for a cardiac tamponade?
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A patient with a chest injury who can only inhale small amounts of air per breath must increase their respiratory rate to maintain adequate minute volume.
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Immediately life-threatening chest injuries must be found and managed during the _______.
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What must be used with caution when providing positive-pressure ventilation to patients with a pneumothorax?
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Patients with chest injuries will often present with _______.
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What separates the thoracic cavity from the abdominal cavity?
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When a person is lying supine at the end of exhalation, the diaphragm may rise as high as the nipple line.
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Which of the following is most likely to cause immediate death?
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What should be done for a patient with diminished breath sounds, stable vital signs, and pleuritic chest pain?
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What injury should you suspect in an unresponsive, tachycardic, and diaphoretic patient with clear breast sounds and collapsed jugular veins?
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What should you do for a patient experiencing increasing respiratory distress and tachycardia after you sealed an open chest wound?
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What should you immediately request for a patient displaying severely labored breathing and jugular venous distention?
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Study Notes
Chest Injuries Overview
- Chest trauma can cause severe pain, swelling, and complications such as respiratory distress or shock.
- Immediate transport may be necessary for patients with significant injuries and symptoms.
Types of Chest Injuries
- Flail Chest: Occurs when a segment of the chest wall is detached, affecting breathing mechanics.
- Simple Pneumothorax: Usually results from blunt trauma, causing air to enter the pleural space.
- Open Pneumothorax: Characterized by air entering the pleural space from an external source.
Signs and Symptoms
- Respiratory distress, tachycardia, and decreased oxygen saturation are critical indicators.
- Engorged jugular veins may indicate cardiac tamponade, suggesting serious injury.
- Patients often display tachypnea in response to chest injuries.
Assessment Techniques
- Perform a primary assessment to identify life-threatening injuries quickly.
- Look for signs of shock, decreased consciousness, and respiratory failure in accident victims.
- In patients with chest injuries, monitor for baseline breath sounds and jugular vein status.
Treatment Considerations
- Administer supplemental oxygen and prepare for rapid transport for significant injuries.
- Use caution with positive-pressure ventilation in cases of pneumothorax to prevent worsening injuries.
- Stabilization techniques, such as sealing wounds, should be reversed if respiratory distress increases.
Specific Cases
- Injuries such as aortic rupture result in immediate life-threatening conditions.
- A flail segment combined with respiratory distress suggests potential pulmonary contusion.
- Ishocemia and altered breathing patterns may arise from structural damage and hypoxia.
Pediatric Considerations
- Children may display different respiratory patterns, such as "belly breathing," due to developmental factors in intercostal muscle formation.
Anatomical Insights
- The diaphragm separates the thoracic cavity from the abdominal cavity, influencing respiratory mechanics during inhalation and exhalation.
Emergency Protocols
- ALS support should be requested for critically injured patients exhibiting severe symptoms.
- Partial removal of dressings may be necessary to relieve tension in cases of respiratory complications post-injury.
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Description
Test your knowledge on chest injuries with this quiz based on EMT Chapter 29. It covers critical concepts, definitions, and response protocols related to various chest trauma scenarios. Perfect for EMT students and professionals looking to reinforce their understanding.
