Question

a nurse is caring for a client with a blunt chest trauma. which of the following injuries can occur as a result of blunt chest trauma? (select all that apply.)
chest wall injury
rib fractures
flail chest
cardiac contusion
increased lung capacity

Explanation:

• Chest wall injury: Blunt force to the chest can damage the chest wall structures.
• Rib fractures: Blunt trauma is a common cause of rib fractures.
• Flail chest: Occurs when multiple adjacent ribs are fractured in multiple places, often due to blunt chest trauma.
• Cardiac contusion: Blunt force can impact the heart, causing contusion.
• Increased lung capacity: Blunt chest trauma typically causes decreased lung function (e.g., from pain limiting breathing, potential pneumothorax/hemothorax restricting lung expansion) rather than increased lung capacity.

Answer:

Chest wall injury, Rib fractures, Flail chest, Cardiac contusion.