Flail Chest Flashcards
identifies a flail chest
paradoxical movement
pain
SOB
crepitus
tenderness
contusions
what is a flail chest
2 or more ribs broken in 2 or more places
what is the first step when a flail has been identified
stabilize injury with a hand
what type of dressing is used
large bulky dressing like blanket/sheet or abdo pad
secures pad using tape
a minimum of 3 strips horizontally and 1 strip vertically
what is the telltale sign of a flail chest
Paradoxical movement
{flail segment moves independently from the rib cage}
what is Paradoxical movement
rib segment is unstable, sucks in when inhale and pushes out when exhale
can a sager cravate be used instead of tape
no - no circumfrential dressing around the chest
if not properly dtabilized what is a flail chest in danger of developing into
hemothorax or pneumothorax
