Which assessment finding indicates poor air exchange in a foreign body airway obstruction?

Stridor is a high-pitched, wheezing sound resulting from disrupted airflow, typically occurring during inhalation. In the context of foreign body airway obstruction, stridor indicates that a foreign object is affecting the upper airway and impeding airflow to a significant degree. This finding reflects a dangerous situation where the airway is compromised, leading to poor air exchange.

Wheezing, which is typically associated with lower airway obstruction or reactive airway conditions, is not as indicative of the severity of upper airway blockage as stridor. Anxiety may contribute to a patient’s overall distress but does not specifically indicate the state of air exchange. Tachycardia can occur in many situations, including anxiety and hypoxia, but it is not a direct measure of air exchange. Therefore, stridor is the most telltale sign of poor air exchange due to a foreign body obstruction.