Which upper respiratory sign best indicates involvement in anaphylaxis?

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Multiple Choice

Which upper respiratory sign best indicates involvement in anaphylaxis?

In anaphylaxis, airway swelling can involve the upper airway first and most dangerously. Laryngeal edema directly reflects edema of the upper airway structures, which can rapidly narrow the airway and cause signs like throat tightness, hoarseness, and stridor. This makes it the most informative upper respiratory sign for airway involvement in anaphylaxis. By contrast, wheezing signals lower airway bronchospasm, loss of vasomotor tone points to systemic shock rather than airway edema, and cough with sputum is nonspecific and not indicative of upper airway swelling. Recognizing laryngeal edema alerts you to potentially life-threatening airway obstruction and the need for urgent management.

In anaphylaxis, airway swelling can involve the upper airway first and most dangerously. Laryngeal edema directly reflects edema of the upper airway structures, which can rapidly narrow the airway and cause signs like throat tightness, hoarseness, and stridor. This makes it the most informative upper respiratory sign for airway involvement in anaphylaxis. By contrast, wheezing signals lower airway bronchospasm, loss of vasomotor tone points to systemic shock rather than airway edema, and cough with sputum is nonspecific and not indicative of upper airway swelling. Recognizing laryngeal edema alerts you to potentially life-threatening airway obstruction and the need for urgent management.

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