Question

A victim of a house fire is brought to the emergency department for burn treatment. What assessment finding indicates that the patient may have an inhalation injury?

1) Coughing
2) Soot on the face
3) Singed facial hair
4) Heart rate 98 bpm

Answer 1

Assessment findings like soot on the face, coughing, and singed facial hair suggest a house fire victim may have an inhalation injury.

Step-by-step explanation:

An assessment finding that indicates a patient who is a victim of a house fire may have an inhalation injury includes observing soot on the face, coughing, and singed facial hair. While an elevated heart rate can be associated with many conditions, it does not specifically suggest an inhalation injury. The presence of soot on the face or in the sputum can suggest that the victim has inhaled smoke and potentially toxic substances. Similarly, singed facial hair can indicate exposure to intense heat, which correlates with the possibility of airway and lung damage due to inhalation of hot gases and smoke.