PANCE Exam Practice Questions: Quiz 88

A 25-year-old sustained significant blunt force trauma to the chest in a motor vehicle accident. He arrived at the emergency department on supplemental oxygen. An initial evaluation, including chest x-ray, revealed three rib fractures but no other injuries. Suddenly, the patient reports severe shortness of breath. Vital signs at this time are BP 106/66, pulse 20, SaO2 85%. What is the next best step in management of this patient?
- A. increase supplemental oxygen
- B. intubate immediately
- C. order a STAT CT scan of chest
- D. perform an immediate needle decompression

Reader Interactions