Demonstrate management of a patient with a chest injury.
Demonstration should include pathophysiology, assessment, and management of
- comparison of chest injuries caused by blunt mechanisms to those caused by penetrating mechanisms
- open chest wound
- impaled objects
- hemothorax
- pneumothorax (e.g., open, simple, tension)
- cardiac tamponade
- rib fractures
- flail chest
- commotio cordis.
Demonstration should also include psychosocial aspects of age-related assessment and treatment modifications for the major or common diseases and/or emergencies associated with pediatric and geriatric patients.
Process/Skill Questions:
- How does a pneumothorax disrupt the mechanism of breathing?
- When should an impaled object be stabilized in place and when should it be removed?
- Why do injuries like pneumothorax and cardiac tamponade cause jugular vein distention?
- How is a flail segment treated?