To assess a patient with difficulty breathing due to a skiing incident, what should you do?

Comparing the two sides of the chest is essential in assessing a patient with difficulty breathing, especially following a trauma such as a skiing incident. This procedure allows you to identify any asymmetry in chest movement, which may suggest underlying injuries like a pneumothorax, hemothorax, or rib fractures. Assessing both sides provides critical information about the patient's respiratory status and helps to determine whether there are any immediate threats to breathing.

Inspecting the chest for symmetry and noting any differences in expansion can indicate serious conditions that require urgent attention. Moreover, it enables you to track changes in the patient's condition over time, which is crucial in a pre-hospital setting where advanced care is typically on the way. This comprehensive approach ensures that the assessment is thorough and that any emerging problems are promptly addressed.

While other options focus on specific injuries or areas of the chest, they do not provide the same breadth of information as assessing both sides does. It’s vital in emergency situations to have an overall understanding of the patient’s condition, making a comparison of the two sides of the chest a foundational practice in accurate patient assessment.