Difficulty: Medium
Average Score: 91%
Simulated
A nurse in the emergency department is caring for a patient who was injured in a motor-vehicle crash. The patient reports dyspnea and severe pain. The nurse notes that the patient's chest moves inward during inspiration and bulges out during expiration. The nurse should identify this finding as which of the following? What condition is indicated by paradoxical chest movement?
Correct answer
A
Rationale
The correct answer is A: Flail chest. Flail chest is characterized by a segment of the rib cage that moves independently due to multiple rib fractures. The paradoxical chest movement, where the chest moves inward during inspiration and bulges out during expiration, is a classic sign of flail chest. This occurs due to the loss of stability in the rib cage, leading to ineffective breathing mechanics.
Incorrect answers:
B: Hemothorax - This is the accumulation of blood in the pleural cavity, which would not cause paradoxical chest movement.
C: Atelectasis - Atelectasis is the collapse of lung tissue, which would not result in paradoxical chest movement.
D: Pneumothorax - Pneumothorax is the presence of air in the pleural space, which typically causes chest pain and shortness of breath but does not result in paradoxical chest movement.
Incorrect answers:
B: Hemothorax - This is the accumulation of blood in the pleural cavity, which would not cause paradoxical chest movement.
C: Atelectasis - Atelectasis is the collapse of lung tissue, which would not result in paradoxical chest movement.
D: Pneumothorax - Pneumothorax is the presence of air in the pleural space, which typically causes chest pain and shortness of breath but does not result in paradoxical chest movement.