When assessing a suspected chest injury, what is the initial step?

• A. Check for breath sounds
• B. Expose the chest area
• C. Apply oxygen
• D. Palpate the chest wall

Answer: (B)

When assessing a suspected chest injury, you first expose the chest area so you can clearly see and feel the chest for signs of trauma. This lets you detect open wounds, deformities, asymmetrical movement, bruising, and any crepitus or suspected flail segment that would change how you manage the patient. Visual and tactile inspection at the outset sets up the rest of the assessment (palpation for tenderness and crepitus, auscultation of breath sounds) and helps you determine immediate actions, such as how to address breathing and any wound care. After exposing, you would proceed with the rest of the assessment while keeping the patient warm and covered as needed.