A pre-hospital team attends a patient with a suspected flail chest. The patient has paradoxical chest wall movement and is hypoxic. In addition to ven...

Question

A pre-hospital team attends a patient with a suspected flail chest. The patient has paradoxical chest wall movement and is hypoxic. In addition to ventilatory management, what pharmacological intervention significantly improves outcomes in flail chest?

Accepted Answer

Effective analgesia (titrated IV opioids and/or regional nerve blocks) - pain relief allows improved respiratory mechanics

Answer

IV steroids to reduce inflammation

Answer

IV calcium to improve muscle contractility

Answer

Prophylactic antibiotics

Answer

Nebulised adrenaline

uk-dipimc MCQ (SBA): Analgesia in Flail Chest

A pre-hospital team attends a patient with a suspected flail chest. The patient has paradoxical chest wall movement and is hypoxic. In addition to ventilatory management, what pharmacological intervention significantly improves outcomes in flail chest?