Which of the following is a sign of laryngeal fracture?

• A. Stridor
• B. Shortness of breath
• C. Dizziness
• D. Nausea

Answer: (A)

Recognizing signs of airway obstruction after blunt neck trauma is crucial when a laryngeal fracture is possible. The larynx can swell or bleed after injury, narrowing the airway. Stridor is a high-pitched, harsh sound produced by turbulent air flow through a constricted upper airway. Its presence strongly indicates that the airway at or near the larynx is compromised, making it the most specific and important sign of a laryngeal fracture among the options. Shortness of breath can occur with airway obstruction but is less specific, while dizziness and nausea are nonspecific symptoms that don’t point to a laryngeal injury. If stridor is heard after neck trauma, treat it as an airway emergency and seek immediate medical evaluation.