What are findings in a stable FBAO patient?

In a stable foreign body airway obstruction (FBAO) patient, the most significant finding would be the complete removal of the airway obstruction, which ensures that the patient can breathe properly. The presence of the obstruction typically leads to impaired airflow and can result in distress, but if the obstruction is completely cleared, the patient is likely to display signs of stability, including normal or improved respiratory function.

In situations where a patient is stable, we would not expect signs of confusion, lethargy, or abnormal respiratory patterns. These indicators suggest that the brain may not be receiving adequate oxygen, commonly associated with severe obstruction rather than a stable condition. Similarly, while wheezing and active coughing can occur during episodes of obstruction as the body attempts to clear the airway, these symptoms are not indicative of a stable state. Instead, the patient would ideally present without these distressing signs after the obstruction has been effectively removed. Thus, complete removal of the airway obstruction reflects a return to stability and normal respiratory function, aligning with the overall assessment of stability in a FBAO patient.