Which statement about blast lung is true?

Which statement about blast lung is true?

• A. It is unrelated to mortality.
• B. It is the most common fatal injury among blast survivors.
• C. It is caused by thermal burns to the lungs.
• D. It never leads to death.

Answer: (B)

Blast lung is a pulmonary barotrauma from the sudden blast overpressure that damages the lungs, causing alveolar hemorrhage, edema, and impaired gas exchange. This can lead to rapid respiratory failure and life-threatening hypoxemia. Because of how quickly it can deteriorate a victim’s breathing, blast lung is a major contributor to death among blast victims who survive the initial injuries. That’s why the statement that it is the most common fatal injury among blast survivors is true. It is not caused by thermal burns to the lungs, and it can indeed lead to death, so other options don’t fit.

Blast lung is a pulmonary barotrauma from the sudden blast overpressure that damages the lungs, causing alveolar hemorrhage, edema, and impaired gas exchange. This can lead to rapid respiratory failure and life-threatening hypoxemia. Because of how quickly it can deteriorate a victim’s breathing, blast lung is a major contributor to death among blast victims who survive the initial injuries. That’s why the statement that it is the most common fatal injury among blast survivors is true. It is not caused by thermal burns to the lungs, and it can indeed lead to death, so other options don’t fit.