Which diagnostic evaluation will determine if a child aspirated a carrot?

• A. Bronchoscopy
• B. Chest x-ray
• C. Arterial blood gas
• D. Sputum culture

Answer: (A)

Direct visualization of the airway is essential when you suspect an aspirated foreign body in a child. Bronchoscopy uses a scope to look inside the trachea and bronchi, so you can see the carrot if it’s present and, importantly, remove it right away. This makes bronchoscopy both diagnostic and therapeutic.

Chest X-ray can be helpful for indirect signs like atelectasis or air trapping, but many foods like carrots are radiolucent and may not be visible, so the foreign body might not be detected. Arterial blood gas doesn’t tell you whether a foreign body is present, and sputum culture indicates infection rather than the presence of the object.