Final answer:
Possible causes of inadequate chest wall movement or chest wall injury include rib fractures, flail chest, pneumothorax, and pulmonary embolism.
Step-by-step explanation:
There are several possible causes of inadequate chest wall movement or chest wall injury. These include rib fractures, flail chest, pneumothorax, and pulmonary embolism. Rib fractures can occur following a strong blow to the shoulder or a hard fall onto an outstretched hand. Flail chest refers to a condition where multiple contiguous ribs are fractured in two or more places, resulting in a segment of the chest wall moving independently from the rest of the chest. Pneumothorax is the presence of air in the pleural space, which can cause the lung to collapse and restrict chest wall movement. Pulmonary embolism occurs when a blood clot blocks one of the pulmonary arteries, preventing oxygen-rich blood from reaching the lung tissue and impairing chest wall movement.