Why might a male who inhaled steam from a boiler present with stridor and wheezes?

The answer that states steam burns both upper and lower airways causing edema is correct because steam inhalation can lead to significant thermal injury to the mucosal linings of both the upper and lower airway passages. When steam is inhaled, it can cause damage to the sensitive tissues of the throat and bronchial tubes, leading to inflammation and swelling, known as edema.

This edema can obstruct the airway function at various levels. In the upper airway, the swelling can lead to stridor, which is a high-pitched sound indicating an obstruction, often seen in conditions affecting the larynx. In the lower airways, the resulting inflammation may narrow the air passages and lead to wheezing, a musical sound produced by airflow through constricted airways. The presence of edema in both regions also accounts for the respiratory distress that might be observed in this situation.

Understanding this process is crucial for recognizing and treating patients who may experience complications from steam inhalation. Effective airway management strategies would involve addressing both the upper and lower airway edema to restore adequate airflow and prevent respiratory failure.