Which of the following is a sign of an inhalation burn?

Inhalation burns typically occur when hot gases, smoke, or chemical agents are breathed in, causing damage to the respiratory tract. Coughing without throat irritation is an important sign of inhalation injury because it can indicate that the airway is affected, but not yet severely compromised. Patients may cough due to irritation in the lungs, which can occur even when there’s no immediate throat pain or irritation felt. This symptom means that the airway is reacting to the harmful substances, making it a crucial indicator in recognizing potential inhalation damage.

The other options may identify various medical conditions or injuries but are not specifically associated with inhalation burns. For instance, loss of conscious thought could indicate a different systemic issue, while bruises suggest trauma and greenish skin discoloration often indicates conditions like hypoxia or poisoning rather than inhalation injury specifically.