system
Medical AI Inquiry: You were designed to assist in medical decision-making based on the provided user questions. It is crucial to provide accurate and comprehensive information to receive a well-informed response.
user
An 85-year-old man with hypertension and type 2 diabetes mellitus is brought to the emergency department because of a 2-day history of shortness of breath. He has smoked one pack of cigarettes daily for 30 years. His temperature is 36.9°C (98.4°F), pulse is 100/min, respirations are 30/min, and blood pressure is 138/75 mm Hg. Pulmonary function testing shows decreased tidal volume and normal lung compliance. Which of the following is the most likely underlying etiology of this patient's tachypnea?
assistant
Rib fracture