Patient education: Smoke inhalation – ED discharge instructions (The Basics)

What are discharge instructions? — 

Discharge instructions are information about how to take care of yourself after getting medical care in the emergency department ("ED").

What should I know? — 

You came to the ED for smoke inhalation. This is when you breathe in the air, smoke, heat, and fumes from a fire. Particles in the air and the chemicals in the fumes can damage your lungs. The heat from a fire can harm you, even if the fire never burns you.

How do I care for myself at home? — 

Ask the doctor or nurse what you should do when you go home. Make sure you understand exactly what you need to do to care for yourself. Ask questions if there is anything you do not understand.

You should also do the following:

●Call your regular doctor and tell them you were in the ED. Make a follow-up appointment if you were told to.

●Suck on hard candy or cough drops to soothe sore throat and cough.

●Do the breathing exercises the doctor or nurse taught you to help keep your lungs clear. Try to do them every few hours while awake.

●Do not smoke or be in smoke-filled places. Also, do not vape or smoke cannabis. Avoid things that can cause breathing problems like fumes, pollution, dust, and other common allergens.

●If you were given an inhaler to help you breathe, make sure you know how and when to use it. Carry it with you all the time.

●Take over-the-counter medicine to help you cough up mucus, if needed. Follow the directions on the label carefully.

When should I get emergency help?

●Call for emergency help right away (in the US and Canada, call 9-1-1) if you:

•Are having so much trouble breathing you can only say 1 or 2 words at a time

•Need to sit upright to be able to breathe, or cannot lie down

•Are very tired from working to catch your breath, or are sweating from trying to breathe

•Cough up large amounts of blood (more than 1 teaspoon, or 5 mL)

●Return to the ED if you:

•Have a fever of 100.4°F (38°C) or higher, or chills

•Have trouble breathing when talking or sitting still

•Have wheezing or mild trouble breathing even after using your inhaler a few times

•Cough up a small amount of blood (less than 1 teaspoon, or 5 mL)

•Cough up green or yellow mucus

When should I call the doctor? — 

Call for advice if you:

●Are more tired than normal, or have more trouble than usual breathing with activity

●Have new or worsening symptoms

More on this topic

Patient education: Smoke inhalation (The Basics)