Question

You are treating a patient who fell hard on her right side when she fell off a bike. Exposure of the patients 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 extreme pain and states that she cannot take a deep breathe. What condition should you suspect?

Answer 1

The condition that should be suspected is a bruised or fractured rib. When a person falls hard on their side, the ribs can be injured, resulting in pain and difficulty breathing deeply.

Step-by-step explanation:

Based on the symptoms described, the condition that should be suspected is a bruised or fractured rib. When a person falls hard on their side, the ribs can be injured, resulting in pain and difficulty breathing deeply. The large bruise on the lateral aspect of the chest indicates an injury to the area. When palpating the bruised area, the extreme pain and inability to take a deep breath further suggest a rib injury.