Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) Practice Test

What is the condition where 2 or more ribs are broken loose in 2 places, resulting in paradoxical movement?

1. Active; pressure drops, air is sucked in

2. Relaxed; pressure rises and air is forced out

3. 2 or more ribs broken loose in 2 places; paradoxical movement; split

4. Air between pleural linings; lungs can't fully inflate leading to a collapsed lung

The correct answer is: 2 or more ribs broken loose in 2 places; paradoxical movement; split

The correct answer describes a condition known as flail chest, which occurs when two or more adjacent ribs are fractured in two or more places. This injury results in a segment of the chest wall that moves independently of the rest of the thoracic cage, leading to paradoxical movement during respiration. When the patient inhales, the flail segment gets drawn inward rather than moving outward as it should, and during exhalation, it bulges outward. This abnormal movement can severely impair respiratory efficiency and contribute to respiratory distress. The other options refer to different concepts. One discusses the pressure changes during respiration, while another seems to allude to a phenomenon related to pleural effusion or pneumothorax, which also affects lung function but does not specifically relate to rib fractures. Understanding the characteristics of flail chest is crucial for EMTs, as it requires prompt recognition and appropriate management in a pre-hospital setting.