While playing in an intramural football game, Joe is tackled so hard that he breaks a rib. He can actuallyfeel a piece of the rib sticking through the skin and he is having a difficult time breathing. Joe is probably suffering from
A) a collapsed trachea.
B) an obstruction in the bronchi.
C) a pneumothorax.
D) decreased surfactant production.
E) a bruised diaphragm.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The symptoms described by Joe are characteristic of a pneumothorax, which is a condition in which air enters the pleural space, causing the lung to collapse and making it difficult to breathe. The piece of rib sticking through the skin suggests that the injury may have punctured the lung and caused the air leak. A collapsed trachea, obstruction in the bronchi, decreased surfactant production, and a bruised diaphragm are all possible respiratory problems but are less likely given the specific symptoms described by Joe.

While Playing in an Intramural Football Game, Joe Is Tackled