Question

A patient was climbing a ladder, slipped on a rung, and fell on the right side of the chest. X-ray studies reveal three rib fractures, and the patient is complaining of pain with inspiration. What is the anticipated treatment for this patient?a. Chest strappingb. Mechanical ventilationc. Coughing and deep breathing with pillow splintingd. Thoracentesis

Answer 1

Answer:

The correct answer for the question: What is the anticipated treatment for this patient, when talking about a patient who fell from a ladder, fell on the right side of the chest, was shown to have three ribs fractured and is now having pain at inspiration, would be: Coughing and deep breathing with pillow splinting.

Explanation:

This type of procedure can be done by healthcare professionals and it can also be done by the patient, and it will help with the pain as it will protect the injured area when using the pillow, retain the excessive expansion of the chest while inspiring, and the coughing will help with relaxation of the muscles, while deep breathing will allow the chest cavity to function but without much mechanical injury, caused by rapid breathing, or excessive expansion. The point is to use a pillow as a splint, and ask the patient to hold it against the chest, while inspiring. The coughing will help the muscles relax, and increase oxygenation, the deep breathing will further enhance oxygenation, without overexerting the chest cavity, and thus the ribs, and the pillow splint will further protect the injury site by becoming almost a limit to the expansion of the chest. In the case of this patient, given his injury, it is the most effective treatment to use.