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Foreign body aspiration adult — ABEM Board MCQ

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ModeratePulmonary emergenciesForeign body aspiration adultABEM Board

A 74-year-old man arrives from a restaurant after sudden coughing during dinner. Triage acuity is ESI 2; BP 132/76 mm Hg, HR 108/min, SpO2 91%. He has unilateral wheeze on the right and persistent cough but can speak. Chest radiograph shows hyperinflation of the right lung. Which of the following is the most likely diagnosis?

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Correct answer: A — Endobronchial foreign body aspiration

Sudden cough while eating with unilateral wheeze and air trapping suggests bronchial foreign body aspiration.

Reference: AHA foreign body airway obstruction guidance; emergency airway references