CBM CBM Inhalation Injury & Respiratory Management 1

Question 1

Which clinical finding is the most reliable early indicator of inhalation injury in a burn patient?

Accepted Answer

Singed nasal hairs and eyebrows

Answer

Singed nasal hairs, carbonaceous sputum, and facial burns are the most reliable clinical signs of inhalation injury even before respiratory distress develops.

Question 2

Why is standard pulse oximetry unreliable in patients with carbon monoxide (CO) poisoning?

Accepted Answer

It overestimates oxygen saturation because it cannot distinguish oxyhemoglobin from carboxyhemoglobin

Answer

Pulse oximetry reads carboxyhemoglobin as oxyhemoglobin, falsely reporting near-normal saturations in the presence of significant CO poisoning.

Question 3

What is the first-line treatment for carbon monoxide poisoning in a burn patient?

Accepted Answer

100% high-flow oxygen via non-rebreather mask

Answer

High-flow 100% oxygen reduces the half-life of carboxyhemoglobin from ~5 hours on room air to approximately 60–90 minutes.

Question 4

Subglottic inhalation injuries typically result from which mechanism?

Accepted Answer

Inhalation of superheated steam or toxic chemical gases

Answer

Steam carries much more heat energy than dry air and can transfer that heat below the glottis, causing subglottic injury, while dry air is usually cooled by the upper airway.

Question 5

When should early prophylactic intubation be considered in an inhalation injury patient?

Accepted Answer

Signs of stridor, hoarseness, or progressive facial and oropharyngeal edema

Answer

Airway edema can progress rapidly and occlude the airway; early intubation before complete obstruction is far safer than emergent intubation after obstruction.

(CBM) Certified Burn Manager Practice Test

(CBM) Certified Burn Manager Practice Test

CBM CBM Inhalation Injury & Respiratory Management 1