Intensive Care Medicine (ICM) Practice Exam

Stridor is associated with which condition?

1. Laryngeal edema

2. Laryngeal mass

3. Pneumothorax

4. Epiglottitis

The correct answer is: Pneumothorax

Stridor is a high-pitched, wheezing sound typically caused by obstruction or narrowing in the upper airway, and it is particularly associated with conditions affecting the larynx or trachea. The correct associations for stridor include conditions like laryngeal edema, laryngeal mass, and epiglottitis. Each of these conditions can lead to swelling or obstruction in the upper airway, resulting in stridor. For instance, laryngeal edema, which can occur from allergic reactions, trauma, or infection, leads to swelling that narrows the airway. Similarly, a laryngeal mass, such as a tumor or any other growth, can cause obstruction, making stridor more likely. Epiglottitis, which is typically an infection of the epiglottis, can result in severe swelling and subsequent airway obstruction, also manifesting as stridor. Pneumothorax, on the other hand, refers to the presence of air in the pleural space leading to lung collapse and is primarily associated with chest pain and difficulty breathing, but it does not produce stridor, as it does not affect the upper airway where stridor originates. Thus, the condition most relevant to stridor is indeed l