Version July 2025
Please read the Disclaimer at the end of this page.
What are discharge instructions? —
Discharge instructions are information about how to take care of yourself after getting medical care in the emergency department ("ED").
What should I know? —
You came to the ED after getting hit in the chest. The medical term for this is "blunt chest trauma." It can happen when the chest is hit, such as during an accident, fall, or assault.
The doctors think it is safe for you to recover at home. How long it will take for you to heal depends on how serious your injuries are, your overall health, and how you respond to treatment.
Sometimes, symptoms of serious injuries do not show up right away and instead happen days or even weeks later. It's important to watch for the problems listed below.
You might be waiting on test results. The staff will notify you if there are concerning results.
How do I care for myself at home? —
Ask the doctor or nurse what you should do when you go home. Make sure you understand exactly what you need to do to care for yourself. Ask questions if there is anything you do not understand.
You should also do the following:
●Call your regular doctor and tell them you were in the ED. Make a follow-up appointment if you were told to.
●Take 10 to 15 slow, deep breaths at least 4 times each day. If the doctor gave you an incentive spirometer, use it as instructed. This lowers your chance of getting a lung infection.
●When you take deep breaths, sneeze, cough, or laugh, hold a pillow against your chest to ease pain.
●Take non-prescription medicines to relieve pain, such as acetaminophen (sample brand name: Tylenol). If the doctor says it's safe, you can take ibuprofen (sample brand names: Advil, Motrin) or naproxen (sample brand name: Aleve) as well.
●Ice can help with pain and swelling. Put a cold gel pack, bag of ice, or bag of frozen vegetables on your chest every 1 to 2 hours, for 15 minutes each time. Put a thin towel between the ice (or other cold object) and your skin. Ice for the first 24 to 48 hours after an injury.
●It might hurt less to sleep in a recliner. You can also sleep with your head and shoulders propped up on pillows.
●Quit smoking, if you smoke. Your doctor or nurse can help.
When should I get emergency help?
●Call for emergency help right away (in the US and Canada, call 9-1-1) if:
•You cough up blood.
•The pain in your chest or belly suddenly gets worse or gets very bad.
•You are having so much trouble breathing you can only say 1 or 2 words at a time.
•You need to sit upright to breathe, or cannot lie down.
•You are very tired from working to catch your breath, or are sweating from trying to breathe.
•You feel very weak, like you might pass out.
●Return to the ED if:
•You have trouble breathing when talking or sitting still.
•You feel lightheaded or dizzy, or are unsteady when you walk.
•Your skin gets pale.
•You are vomiting or have belly pain.
•You have blood in your urine.
When should I call the doctor? —
Call for advice if you:
●Have a fever of 100.4°F (38°C) or higher, or chills
●Still have pain even after taking pain medicines
●Have new or worsening symptoms
Patient education: How to use an incentive spirometer (The Basics)
