You are performing a secondary assessment and are assessing your patient's chest. Which one of the following findings do you associate most with fracture of the ribs?

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Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Paradoxical chest wall motion, also known as flail chest, is a classic finding associated with multiple rib fractures. It occurs when an area of the chest wall moves in the opposite direction to the rest of the chest during respiration. Ecchymosis to the chest wall may be present but is not as specific to rib fractures as paradoxical chest wall motion. Decreased breath sounds may indicate a pneumothorax or hemothorax, which can be associated with rib fractures but are not specific. Jugular venous distention is associated with cardiac and pulmonary conditions, not rib fractures.

You Are Performing a Secondary Assessment and Are Assessing Your