Your flail chest patient requires supplemental oxygen. What is the usual cause of hypoxemia in a flail chest patient?

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The usual cause of hypoxemia in a flail chest patient is alveolar atelectasis, which occurs because of the inability of the chest wall to expand adequately, resulting in decreased ventilation and inadequate oxygenation. This happens due to the paradoxical movement of the chest wall during breathing, which impairs the normal physiology of respiration. Both A (myocardial contusion) and B (hemorrhage) can lead to hypoxemia, but they are not the primary cause in flail chest patients. Pulmonary edema is not a common complication in a flail chest patient.

Your Flail Chest Patient Requires Supplemental Oxygen