Severe Left-sided Chest Pain in Surgery — 45yo Man | Trauma Surgery | SMLE Q#870
SMLE Question #870
Surgery
Trauma Surgery
Objective: OBJ-TRM-AIRWAY-01
Last updated: February 2026
A 45-year-old man presents after a high-speed motor vehicle collision with severe left-sided chest pain and dyspnea. Examination shows paradoxical inward movement of the left anterior chest wall over the 3rd–5th ribs during inspiration with tenderness and crepitus. Chest X-ray shows fractures of the left 3rd–5th ribs, each at more than one site, without pneumothorax. What is the most appropriate initial treatment step?
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