Final answer:
B. Pneumothorax/hypoxia The woman with blunt trauma to the chest likely has a pneumothorax and is suffering from hypoxia due to the collapsed lung's inability to oxygenate blood.
Step-by-step explanation:
The woman who suffered a blunt trauma to the chest and is having difficulty breathing with no breath sounds on one side likely has a pneumothorax. This condition is a type of physiological dead space that can arise from a puncture wound or blunt trauma and result in part of the lung collapsing. When a lung collapses, it creates a situation where there is no ventilation in that region, severely impacting breathing and leading to hypoxia, as the collapsed lung is incapable of oxygenating any blood.
The woman likely has a pneumothorax, which is a collapsed lung. This occurs when air enters the pleural space between the lung and the chest wall. The trauma from the swing on the carnival ride may have caused a puncture or tear in the lung tissue. The absence of breath sounds on the right side indicates that the affected lung is not able to expand and fill with air properly.As the collapsed lung is unable to oxygenate the blood, the woman would be suffering from hypoxia, which is a lower-than-normal level of oxygen in the blood. This can lead to symptoms such as difficulty breathing, rapid heartbeat, and cyanosis (bluish discoloration of the skin).It is important for the woman to receive immediate medical attention for a pneumothorax, as it can be a life-threatening condition.