What is a key indicator of the severity of an inhalation injury?

The severity of an inhalation injury is primarily assessed through the results of a bronchoscopy. This procedure allows healthcare professionals to visualize the airway and lungs directly, enabling the identification of damage caused by thermal or chemical inhalation. During bronchoscopy, signs such as edema, inflammation, and necrosis can be observed, providing critical information about the extent of injury and guiding treatment decisions.

While the presence of carbon monoxide in the blood can indicate exposure to smoke or combustion gases, it does not directly reflect the damage to the airway or lung tissue itself. Other options, such as glucose levels or heart rate variability, are not relevant metrics for assessing inhalation injury severity. Their fluctuations might occur due to various systemic responses to injury but do not provide specific insights into respiratory tract damage or the extent of inhalation injuries.