An x-ray of a trauma patient reveals rib fractures and the patient is diagnosed with a small flail chest injury. Which intervention should the nurse include in the patient's plan of care?

Question

A) Suction the patient's airway secretions.
B) Immobilize the ribs with an abdominal binder.
C) Prepare the patient for surgery.
D) Immediately sedate and intubate the patient.

Answer 1

Ans: A
Feedback:
As with rib fracture, treatment of flail chest is usually supportive. Management includes clearing secretions from the lungs, and controlling pain. If only a small segment of the chest is involved, it is important to clear the airway through positioning, coughing, deep breathing, and suctioning. Intubation is required for severe flail chest injuries, and surgery is required only in rare circumstances to stabilize the flail segment.