You are following the L.A.P. method to examine the chest of a 38-year-old trauma patient. To assess for thoracic cage instability, you would apply moderate downward pressure on the sternum while asking the patient to take a deep breath, and then you would:

a. "walk" the patient's clavicles with your fingertips while the patient exhales.
b. have the patient exhale slowly while you listen to the breath sounds.
c. apply moderate inward pressure on the lateral walls of the rib cage and ask the patient to take a deep breath.
d. palpate the upper thorax for subcutaneous emphysema.

Answer: c