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 regarding chest movement in a trauma patient during inhalation and exhalation. We need to identify the implications of the observed behavior of the chest in this medical context.
Answer
Several ribs are fractured (flail chest).
The final answer is that several ribs are fractured and the patient should be turned onto the affected side (option 3).
Answer for screen readers
The final answer is that several ribs are fractured and the patient should be turned onto the affected side (option 3).
More Information
This pattern of movement, known as paradoxical breathing, typically arises from multiple rib fractures leading to a condition called flail chest.
Tips
A common mistake is associating paradoxical movement only with pneumothorax. Flail chest is identified by the opposite movement of the chest segment during breathing.
Sources
- Flail Chest - Physiopedia - physio-pedia.com
- Blunt trauma related chest wall and pulmonary injuries: An overview - pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov
AI-generated content may contain errors. Please verify critical information
