The Nurse Is Caring for a Patient Who Sustained Rib

The nurse is caring for a patient who sustained rib fractures after hitting the steering wheel of the car during a motor vehicle crash.The patient is spontaneously breathing and receiving oxygen via a face mask; the oxygen saturation is 95%.During the nurse's assessment,the oxygen saturation drops to 80%.The patient's blood pressure has dropped from 128/76 mm Hg to 84/60 mm Hg.The nurse assesses that breath sounds are absent throughout the left lung fields.The nurse notifies the provider and anticipates

A) administration of lactated Ringer's solution (1 L) wide open.
B) chest x-ray study to determine the etiology of the symptoms.
C) endotracheal intubation and mechanical ventilation.
D) needle thoracostomy and chest tube insertion.