A 55-year-old female fell down a flight of stairs and now complains of sharp chest pain that worsens with deep breaths. Physical examination reveals tenderness to palpation over several ribs. What are the potential diagnoses, and what are the next steps?
This patient's presentation is suggestive of rib fractures, which can occur after blunt chest trauma. Rib fractures can lead to complications such as pneumothorax, hemothorax, or lung contusion. An immediate chest x-ray should be ordered to confirm the diagnosis and assess for any of these complications. Pain control is also crucial in these cases to allow for effective breathing and coughing, which can prevent pneumonia.