> For the complete documentation index, see [llms.txt](https://handbook.teddwa.xyz/llms.txt). Markdown versions of documentation pages are available by appending `.md` to page URLs; this page is available as [Markdown](https://handbook.teddwa.xyz/airway-problems/airway-trauma-and-inhalation-injury.md).

# Airway trauma and inhalation injury

Protect a threatened airway after neck trauma, burns, or smoke exposure.

### Identify a threatened airway

Look for neck swelling, expanding hematoma, bleeding, hoarseness, stridor, subcutaneous emphysema, tracheal deviation, facial burns, soot, singed nasal hair, or carbonaceous sputum.

Smoke exposure can cause carbon monoxide poisoning. A normal pulse-oximetry reading does not exclude it.

### Immediate actions

1. Complete the primary assessment (ABCs) and manually stabilize the cervical spine when trauma is suspected.
2. Suction blood, vomit, and secretions. Apply high concentration oxygen.
3. Use a jaw-thrust maneuver when spinal injury is suspected.
4. Assist ventilation with a bag valve mask when chest rise or respiratory effort is inadequate.

Avoid probing wounds or removing impaled objects. Cover open neck wounds with an occlusive dressing that does not restrict breathing.

### ALS treatment

Apply cardiac monitoring, oxygen saturation monitoring, and waveform capnography when available. Establish IV or IO access.

Prepare for early endotracheal intubation when there is progressive hoarseness, stridor, facial or neck swelling, respiratory distress, or deteriorating consciousness.

Treat hypotension with warmed isotonic crystalloid. Treat severe pain with fentanyl, morphine, or ketamine when appropriate.

### Transport

Transport urgently. Reassess airway patency, breath sounds, ventilation, oxygen saturation, mental status, and signs of worsening neck swelling throughout transport.


---

# Agent Instructions
This documentation is published with GitBook. GitBook is the documentation platform designed so that both humans and AI agents can read, navigate, and reason over technical content effectively. Learn more at gitbook.com.

## Querying This Documentation
If you need additional information that is not directly available in this page, you can query the documentation dynamically by asking a question.

Perform an HTTP GET request on the current page URL with the `ask` query parameter, and the optional `goal` query parameter:

```
GET https://handbook.teddwa.xyz/airway-problems/airway-trauma-and-inhalation-injury.md?ask=<question>&goal=<endgoal>
```

`ask` is the immediate question: it should be specific, self-contained, and written in natural language.
`goal` is optional and describes the broader end goal you are ultimately trying to accomplish on behalf of the user. GitBook uses it to tailor the answer towards what is most useful for that goal.

The response will contain a direct answer to the question and relevant excerpts and sources from the documentation.

Use this mechanism when the answer is not explicitly present in the current page, you need clarification or additional context, or you want to retrieve related documentation sections.