d. Chest.
(1)
Chest wall. Examine for paradoxical breathing.
(a) Flail chest. A portion of the chest wall goes in on inspiration and
out on expiration. (See figure 1-12.)
Figure 1-12. Checking for flail chest.
(b) Splinting. A patient uses his own muscles to immobilize an injured
area.
(c) Retraction. A patient's respiratory effort is great. This may be seen
by the pulling back of tissue between the ribs when the patient inspires.
(2) Ribs. Examine for bruises and tenderness during chest compression.
(See figure 1-13.)
CAUTION:
Do not push/compress over any abrasive bruise.
Figure 1-13. Examining for rib tenderness.
MD0550
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