How would you describe the symptoms of a rib fracture?

How would you describe the symptoms of a rib fracture?

• A. Pain on coughing
• B. No discomfort
• C. Pain on inhalation and deep inspiration with shallow breaths
• D. Pain worsens with expiration

Answer: (C)

Rib fractures produce sharp, localized chest wall pain that worsens with movement and expansion of the rib cage. The most characteristic sign is pain when you take a deep breath or inhale, because expanding the chest stretches the injured area and intercostal tissues. To limit this painful sensation, people often breathe shallowly, effectively splinting the chest. That pattern—pain on inhalation and deep inspiration with shallow breaths—best captures what happens with a rib fracture. Pain on coughing can occur, but the hallmark is the inhalation-related pain, and pain with expiration isn’t as consistently emphasized as the deep-breathing pain.

Rib fractures produce sharp, localized chest wall pain that worsens with movement and expansion of the rib cage. The most characteristic sign is pain when you take a deep breath or inhale, because expanding the chest stretches the injured area and intercostal tissues. To limit this painful sensation, people often breathe shallowly, effectively splinting the chest.

That pattern—pain on inhalation and deep inspiration with shallow breaths—best captures what happens with a rib fracture. Pain on coughing can occur, but the hallmark is the inhalation-related pain, and pain with expiration isn’t as consistently emphasized as the deep-breathing pain.