What is the primary cause of hypoxemia in a patient with a severe flail chest?
a. Myocardial contusion
b. Hemorrhage
c. Pulmonary edema
d. Alveolar atelectasis
D
Compression of the lung tissue occurs beneath the flail section and atelectasis results. The atelectasis then results in a decreased ventilation/perfusion ratio leading to increased venous admixture. Hypoxemia will occur.
Health Professions
You might also like to view...
Drugs that may influence the progression of rheumatoid arthritis, and are therefore recommended to limit irreversible joint damage, are called:
A) NSAIDs B) glucocorticoids C) DMARDs D) COX-2 inhibitors
Health Professions
Alternative venipuncture sites include_________, ____________, ____________ and ____________.
Fill in the blank(s) with the appropriate word(s).
Health Professions