Podcast
Questions and Answers
What should you prepare for in addition to providing supplemental oxygen to a 28-year-old male struck in the chest?
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 occurs in a flail chest?
What condition should you suspect for a patient with a flail segment and respiratory distress?
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.
A simple pneumothorax is commonly caused by blunt chest trauma.
Signup and view all the answers
What would MOST likely result from a spinal cord injury at the level of C7?
What would MOST likely result from a spinal cord injury at the level of C7?
Signup and view all the answers
An open pneumothorax occurs when air enters the pleural space from outside the body.
An open pneumothorax occurs when air enters the pleural space from outside the body.
Signup and view all the answers
Children are often 'belly breathers' because _______.
Children are often 'belly breathers' because _______.
Signup and view all the answers
Closed chest injuries are typically caused by _______.
Closed chest injuries are typically caused by _______.
Signup and view all the answers
Which additional assessment finding should increase suspicion for a cardiac tamponade?
Which additional assessment finding should increase suspicion for a cardiac tamponade?
Signup and view all the answers
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.
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.
Signup and view all the answers
Immediately life-threatening chest injuries must be found and managed during the _______.
Immediately life-threatening chest injuries must be found and managed during the _______.
Signup and view all the answers
What must be used with caution when providing positive-pressure ventilation to patients with a pneumothorax?
What must be used with caution when providing positive-pressure ventilation to patients with a pneumothorax?
Signup and view all the answers
Patients with chest injuries will often present with _______.
Patients with chest injuries will often present with _______.
Signup and view all the answers
What separates the thoracic cavity from the abdominal cavity?
What separates the thoracic cavity from the abdominal cavity?
Signup and view all the answers
When a person is lying supine at the end of exhalation, the diaphragm may rise as high as the nipple line.
When a person is lying supine at the end of exhalation, the diaphragm may rise as high as the nipple line.
Signup and view all the answers
Which of the following is most likely to cause immediate death?
Which of the following is most likely to cause immediate death?
Signup and view all the answers
What should be done for a patient with diminished breath sounds, stable vital signs, and pleuritic chest pain?
What should be done for a patient with diminished breath sounds, stable vital signs, and pleuritic chest pain?
Signup and view all the answers
What injury should you suspect in an unresponsive, tachycardic, and diaphoretic patient with clear breast sounds and collapsed jugular veins?
What injury should you suspect in an unresponsive, tachycardic, and diaphoretic patient with clear breast sounds and collapsed jugular veins?
Signup and view all the answers
What should you do for a patient experiencing increasing respiratory distress and tachycardia after you sealed an open chest wound?
What should you do for a patient experiencing increasing respiratory distress and tachycardia after you sealed an open chest wound?
Signup and view all the answers
What should you immediately request for a patient displaying severely labored breathing and jugular venous distention?
What should you immediately request for a patient displaying severely labored breathing and jugular venous distention?
Signup and view all the answers
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.
Studying That Suits You
Use AI to generate personalized quizzes and flashcards to suit your learning preferences.
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.