Inhalation Injury is a burn to the airway from smoke or heat.

Inhalation Injury is a burn to the airway from smoke or heat.

• A. Burn to airway from smoke or heat
• B. Skin burn from flame
• C. Electrical burn
• D. Radiation burn

Answer: (A)

Inhalation injury is a burn to the airway caused by inhaled smoke or heat. It occurs when hot gases and smoke damage the airways during a fire, especially in enclosed spaces. The injury can affect the upper airway with thermal damage (larynx, trachea) and the lower airways from irritants in smoke, leading to edema, mucus plugging, bronchospasm, and impaired oxygenation. Because airway compromise can progress rapidly, early airway assessment and aggressive oxygenation/ventilation are essential. This distinguishes it from skin burns from flame, electrical burns, or radiation burns, which affect tissues other than the airway.

Inhalation injury is a burn to the airway caused by inhaled smoke or heat. It occurs when hot gases and smoke damage the airways during a fire, especially in enclosed spaces. The injury can affect the upper airway with thermal damage (larynx, trachea) and the lower airways from irritants in smoke, leading to edema, mucus plugging, bronchospasm, and impaired oxygenation. Because airway compromise can progress rapidly, early airway assessment and aggressive oxygenation/ventilation are essential. This distinguishes it from skin burns from flame, electrical burns, or radiation burns, which affect tissues other than the airway.