ems assessment tip #550

inspiratory stridor is an indication of an almost completely occluded airway. it is created when the patient breathes in sharply in order to draw air past the airway obstruction. as air passes through the narrowed glotic opening, airflow becomes turbulent and it creates the high pitched sound. if the inspiratory stridor disappears and your patient's mental status continues to deteriorate, it probably means that total airway occlusion has occurred.