During the assessment of a patient's respiratory status, the nurse notes paradoxical lung movements. This finding is consistent with which of the following?

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Paradoxical lung movements occur when a segment of the chest wall moves in the opposite direction to the rest of the chest during respiration. This usually occurs with flail chest, which is a condition where several adjacent ribs are fractured in multiple places, resulting in a segment of the chest wall moving independently during inhalation and exhalation.

During the Assessment of a Patient's Respiratory Status, the Nurse