Chapter 30 Competition

You and your partner are dispatched to the rodeo arena for a person reporting shortness of breath and chest pain. On arrival you are escorted to a first aid trailer where you find a man in his mid 30s seated in a chair and leaning forward clutching his chest. He tells you that he was riding a bull when he was thrown off. He states that he landed hard on his right side and heard a "loud pop." The patient finds it difficult to take a deep breath and speak. On the basis of this information, what should be your first intervention?

• Take vital signs.

• Apply a bulky dressing to the right side of the chest.

• Administer high-flow oxygen.

• Immobilize the patient on a backboard.

You and your partner are dispatched to the rodeo arena for a person reporting shortness of breath and chest pain. On arrival you are escorted to a first aid trailer where you find a man in his mid 30s seated in a chair and leaning forward clutching his chest. He tells you that he was riding a bull when he was thrown off. He states that he landed hard on his right side and heard a "loud pop." Exposure of the patient's chest reveals a large bruise on the lateral aspect of the right side of the chest. When you palpate the area, the patient yells out in pain and states that he cannot take a deep breath. What condition should you suspect?

• Cardiac tamponade

• Rib fractures

• Spontaneous pneumothorax

• Pulmonary contusion

You and your partner are dispatched to the rodeo arena for a person reporting shortness of breath and chest pain. On arrival you are escorted to a first aid trailer where you find a man in his mid 30s seated in a chair and leaning forward clutching his chest. He tells you that he was riding a bull when he was thrown off. He states that he landed hard on his right side and heard a "loud pop." Potential complications associated with fractured ribs may include all of the following EXCEPT:

• pneumothorax

• tension pneumothorax

• hemothorax

• upper airway obstruction

You and your partner are dispatched to the rodeo arena for a person reporting shortness of breath and chest pain. On arrival you are escorted to a first aid trailer where you find a man in his mid 30s seated in a chair and leaning forward clutching his chest. He tells you that he was riding a bull when he was thrown off. He states that he landed hard on his right side and heard a "loud pop." Which of the following blood vessels can be lacerated by a fractured rib?

• Aorta

• Brachial artery

• Intercostal artery or vein

• Jugular vein

You and your partner are dispatched to the rodeo arena for a person reporting shortness of breath and chest pain. On arrival you are escorted to a first aid trailer where you find a man in his mid 30s seated in a chair and leaning forward clutching his chest. He tells you that he was riding a bull when he was thrown off. He states that he landed hard on his right side and heard a "loud pop." How often should this patient be reevaluated?

• Every 5 minutes

• Every 10 minutes

• Every 15 minutes

• Every 20 minutes

You and your partner are dispatched to the rodeo arena for a person reporting shortness of breath and chest pain. On arrival you are escorted to a first aid trailer where you find a man in his mid 30s seated in a chair and leaning forward clutching his chest. He tells you that he was riding a bull when he was thrown off. He states that he landed hard on his right side and heard a "loud pop." Diagnostic tools are used to assist you in assessing the severity of your patient’s condition. What diagnostic tool is most commonly used to evaluate the effectiveness of the respiratory system?

• Noninvasive transcutaneous thermometer

• Peak flow meter

• Pulse oximeter

• Automated blood pressure cuff

While en route to the hospital, the patient suddenly grabs your arm and states that he can’t breathe. He appears pale, diaphoretic, and extremely anxious. Reassessment of the chest reveals diminished breath sounds on the right side and subcutaneous emphysema. You suspect which of the following conditions is developing in the patient?

• Cardiac tamponade

• Tension pneumothorax

• Myocardial contusion

• Pulmonary contusion

You are still 30 minutes away from the hospital. On the basis of the patient’s current signs and symptoms, what is the most appropriate management?

• Assist ventilations with a bag-mask device and continue transport.

• Call for ALS assistance and continue transport.

• Reassure the patient and continue transport.

• Attempt to place a needle in the right side of the chest.