BREATHING
Ventilation: Is it adequate ? Its function of the lungs, chest wall, and diaphragm.
BREATHING PROBLEM !
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Adequate exposure of neck and chest
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Dyspnoea, tachypnoea, tachycardia
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Inspection:
- Unilateral diminished chest expansion.
- Bruising/ abrasion over the chest.
- Distended neck veins.
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Palpation: Trachea deviated.
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Percussion:
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- Dull – Hemothorax.
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- Hyper resonant – Tension Pneumothorax.
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Auscultation: diminished or absent breath sound
Life threatening injuries to look for:
- Tension pneumothorax.
- Open pneumothorax (open chest wound).
- Flail chest with underlying pulmonary contusion.
- Massive Hemothorax.
