A 60-year-old male presents after a fall from a ladder with chest pain and difficulty breathing. On examination, he has multiple areas of tenderness over his chest and decreased breath sounds bilaterally. What could be the potential causes, and what are the next steps?
This patient's history of fall, along with his symptoms and physical findings, suggest multiple rib fractures and potential bilateral lung injuries, possibly including pneumothoraces or hemothoraces. Immediate interventions should include pain control, supplemental oxygen, and possibly a trauma panel depending on the severity of the injury. Chest X-ray or CT scan should be obtained to assess the extent of injury and guide further management.