Final answer:
Flail chest is characterized by abnormal chest wall movement during breathing and pain with movement, as multiple adjacent ribs are broken, affecting respiration.
Step-by-step explanation:
Signs and symptoms of flail chest include abnormal movement of part of the chest wall during breathing and pain upon movement. The presence of a penetrating object in the chest and blood oozing from the injury site are also considered symptoms, but they are not exclusive to flail chest.
A flail chest occurs when multiple adjacent ribs are broken in multiple places, creating a segment of the chest wall that moves independently from the rest of the thoracic cage. This can result from a strong blow to the shoulder or a hard fall onto an outstretched hand. The paradoxical movement of the chest wall impairs respiration and is a medical emergency. Associated pain with movement is a symptom due to the disruption of the rib cage and associated musculature.
Damage to internal organs may manifest as referred pain, such as diaphragmatic irritation presenting as pain in the shoulder or neck. This is due to shared nerve pathways that mislead the brain into perceiving pain in areas not directly affected by the internal problem.