In the case of a flail chest segment with respiratory distress, which action should the EMT take?

In the case of a flail chest segment accompanied by respiratory distress, assisting with positive pressure ventilations is the appropriate action. Flail chest occurs when there are multiple rib fractures that lead to a segment of the chest wall moving independently from the rest of the thoracic cavity. This condition can significantly impair respiratory function, leading to inadequate ventilation and oxygenation.

By providing positive pressure ventilations, the EMT helps to ensure that adequate air is delivered to the lungs, assisting the patient in overcoming the impaired mechanics of breathing due to the disrupted chest wall. This intervention can help to stabilize the patient’s breathing while also minimizing further injury to the damaged area.

The other options may provide some support but do not address the primary issue of respiratory distress effectively. For instance, splinting the chest with a bulky trauma dressing can offer some stabilization to the flail segment but does not directly assist with ventilation. An occlusive dressing is typically used for managing open chest wounds rather than treating flail chest, and inserting a chest tube is a more invasive procedure that is reserved for cases of pneumothorax or significant pleural effusion, not as a first-line response for a flail chest. Therefore, positive pressure ventilations are crucial in effectively managing the patient’s