AEMCA Practice Exam

Which of the following are common signs of a rib fracture?

1. Severe dizziness, abdominal pain, fever

2. Shortness of breath, pain when coughing, guarding

3. Wheezing, low blood pressure, altered mental status

4. Rapid pulse, headache, blurred vision

The correct answer is: Shortness of breath, pain when coughing, guarding

The signs associated with rib fractures primarily involve respiratory distress and localized pain due to the nature of the injury. Shortness of breath is a significant symptom, indicating potential compromise of respiratory function, especially if a rib has pierced the pleura or lung tissue. Pain when coughing is also typical, as the act of coughing can aggravate the injury and cause sharp pain around the rib area. Guarding refers to the involuntary tensing of abdominal or chest muscles to protect the area that is painful, which is a common response in those experiencing pain from a fracture. In contrast, the other options include symptoms that are either more general or indicative of different medical conditions. Dizziness, abdominal pain, and fever are often associated with systemic issues rather than localized rib fractures. Symptoms like wheezing, low blood pressure, and altered mental status point towards respiratory distress or shock, while rapid pulse, headache, and blurred vision could suggest neurological involvement or other systemic issues, none of which are typically linked with rib fractures. Thus, the identified symptoms in the correct choice are specifically relevant to a rib fracture scenario.