Airway burns commonly present with which signs?

Airway burns commonly present with which signs?

• A. Burns around face and mouth; singed facial hair; productive cough with sooty sputum; hoarseness; dyspnea; dysphagia; enclosed-area burn history
• B. Headache and dizziness
• C. Abdominal pain
• D. Lower back pain

Answer: (A)

Airway burns from inhalation injuries show signs of airway involvement. Burns around the face and mouth with singed facial hair indicate exposure to hot gases near the airway entrance. Soot in the sputum reveals inhaled particulate matter. Hoarseness points to swelling of the larynx and vocal cords, while dyspnea demonstrates respiratory distress from airway compromise. Dysphagia can result from edema in the oropharynx, and a history of an enclosed-area burn increases the likelihood of inhalation injury. These signs together reflect injury to the airway itself, unlike the other options which describe symptoms not specific to airway burns.

Airway burns from inhalation injuries show signs of airway involvement. Burns around the face and mouth with singed facial hair indicate exposure to hot gases near the airway entrance. Soot in the sputum reveals inhaled particulate matter. Hoarseness points to swelling of the larynx and vocal cords, while dyspnea demonstrates respiratory distress from airway compromise. Dysphagia can result from edema in the oropharynx, and a history of an enclosed-area burn increases the likelihood of inhalation injury. These signs together reflect injury to the airway itself, unlike the other options which describe symptoms not specific to airway burns.