**Core Concept**
Flail chest is a life-threatening condition characterized by a segment of the rib cage that breaks under stress, such as severe trauma, and becomes detached from the rest of the chest wall. This leads to paradoxical chest movement and compromised lung function. The treatment of choice aims to stabilize the chest wall, improve ventilation, and prevent further complications.

**Why the Correct Answer is Right**
The treatment of choice for flail chest involves mechanical ventilation to support lung function, pain management to reduce muscle spasms, and stabilization of the chest wall using a surgical fixation device, such as a rib wiring or plate. This approach helps to restore normal chest movement, improve oxygenation, and prevent further respiratory complications. Additionally, the use of positive end-expiratory pressure (PEEP) and recruitment maneuvers can help to maintain lung volume and prevent atelectasis.

**Why Each Wrong Option is Incorrect**
**Option A:** Nerve blocks or epidural anesthesia may provide pain relief but do not address the underlying mechanical instability of the chest wall.
**Option B:** Chest tube placement is used to drain pneumothorax or hemothorax, but it does not provide mechanical stabilization of the flail segment.
**Option C:** Non-invasive ventilation, such as CPAP or BiPAP, may be used as a bridge to intubation but is not sufficient to manage severe flail chest.

**Clinical Pearl / High-Yield Fact**
The management of flail chest requires a multidisciplinary approach, including respiratory therapy, pain management, and surgical stabilization, to prevent further complications and improve patient outcomes.

**Correct Answer:** C.