The nurse is caring for a trauma patient and notes that with inhalation, a portion of the chest is drawn inward and with exhalation, the portion expands outward. What is the signif... The nurse is caring for a trauma patient and notes that with inhalation, a portion of the chest is drawn inward and with exhalation, the portion expands outward. What is the significance of this observation?
Understand the Problem
The question is asking about the significance of a specific observation concerning chest movement in a trauma patient, particularly when part of the chest is drawn inward during inhalation. This could indicate different medical conditions or issues, prompting the need for an analysis of the described symptoms.
Answer
This indicates a flail chest.
The final answer is this is indicative of a flail chest.
Answer for screen readers
The final answer is this is indicative of a flail chest.
More Information
Paradoxical movement observed in the chest is a typical sign of flail chest, which occurs when a segment of ribs is fractured and moves independently from the rest of the chest wall.
Sources
- Blunt trauma related chest wall and pulmonary injuries: An overview - pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov
- Flail Chest - Physiopedia - physio-pedia.com
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