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

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 breathing. This can be caused by a flail chest, which occurs when multiple rib fractures cause a segment of the chest wall to become unstable and move paradoxically during breathing. Pleurisy, pneumothorax, and pneumonia may all cause respiratory distress, but they would not typically result in paradoxical lung movements.

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