What Causes Bruises To Appear On Rib Cage Area?

my husband fell getting out of the bathtub and hit his ribs on the left side. He is in a lot of pain, naturally. I have given him motrin to help with the pain. He feels some mucous trying to build up and constantly clears his throat to keep it moving so it doesn't settle in his lungs. He can't cough as it hurts too much to try to do that. This happened on Wednesday evening. I see a little bruising starting to appear (kind of yellow) so I'm sure he bruised some ribs and it is inside working its way out. Is there something I can do to help him, for instance heat or ice?