You have applied a nonporous dressing to a puncture wound on a patient's chest. An OEC candidate ...

You have applied a nonporous dressing to a puncture wound on a patient's chest. An OEC candidate asks you why the dressing was taped only on three sides. Your best response is that taping the dressing on three sides:
 
  a. permits oxygen to enter the lungs.
  b. allows trapped air to escape upon exhalation.
  c. is less painful for the patient.
  d. decreases the chances that air will enter the chest upon exhalation.

Question 2

When assessing a patient who sustained blunt trauma to the chest, which of the following assessment findings is most indicative of a serious injury to the lung?
 
  a. Hypoxia
  b. Painful respirations
  c. A respiratory rate of 20 breaths per minute
  d. An ecchymotic area on the anterior chest

Question 3

A patient with blunt chest trauma has paradoxical chest movement. She is conscious and confused and is breathing rapidly and shallowly. After manually stabilizing the flail section of the chest wall, you should:
 
  a. apply an ice pack to the flail section to decrease bruising.
  b. administer oxygen through a nonrebreather facemask.
  c. apply a flutter valve dressing.
  d. insert an oropharyngeal airway.