A person involved in a motor vehicle accident presents to the hospital with chest trauma and multiple broken ribs. What complications are commonly associated with fractured ribs?

Rationale: A. Correct, but incomplete alone. Rib fractures can puncture the lung, allowing air to enter the pleural space, leading to a pneumothorax. This can impair ventilation and oxygenation and may require interventions such as a chest tube. B. Correct, but incomplete alone. Blunt trauma to the chest can bruise the lung tissue, causing pulmonary contusion. This results in edema and hemorrhage within the alveoli, which can impair gas exchange and lead to hypoxia. C. Rib fractures are associated with multiple potential complications, including pneumothorax, hemothorax, pulmonary contusion, and occasionally flail chest. The risk depends on the severity and location of the fractures. Therefore, all listed complications are commonly associated with fractured ribs. D. Correct, but incomplete alone. Rib fractures can lacerate intercostal vessels or the lung, causing blood to accumulate in the pleural space, which can compromise breathing and circulation.