A patient was hospitalized 36 hours ago after suffering multiple injuries, including flail chest on the right, in an explosion. This morning the patient has moist crackles in the right lung, and the sputum is streaked with blood

Question

The nurse discusses these findings with the health care provider due to concern about the possibility of which injury? 1. Tension pneumothorax
2. Pulmonary contusion
3. Hemothorax
4. Pneumonia

Answer 1

2
Rationale 1: Moist crackles and bloody sputum are not the major findings associated with tension pneumothorax.
Rationale 2: The presence of flail chest increases the likelihood of pulmonary contusion. Moist crackles and bloody sputum are also associated with pulmonary contusion.
Rationale 3: Moist crackles and bloody sputum are not the major findings associated with hemothorax.
Rationale 4: Pneumonia may be manifested by moist crackles, but the sputum is generally not bloody. Flail chest 36 hours ago suggests a different pathology.