signs
Last reviewed 01/2018
The signs to note in the patient with a suspected inhalation burn injury are:
- burns damage to the:
- mouth
- nose - singed nasal hairs
- pharynx
- soot or black deposits:
- around the mouth
- within the mouth and oropharynx
- tachypnoea
- increased work of breathing:
- tracheal tug
- use of accessory muscles of respiration
- indrawing of supraclavicular fossae
- rib retraction
- flaring of nasal alae
- inspiratory stridor
- croup
- sputum containing carbonaceous deposits
- altered level of consciousness