Coughing up blood is a sign of which type of injury?

• A. Chest injury
• B. Nose injury
• C. Lip injury
• D. Abdominal injury

Answer: (A)

Coughing up blood points to an injury involving the chest and the lungs or airways. When trauma damages lung tissue or the lining of the airways, blood can enter the air passages and be expelled with a cough, which is why this sign is tied to chest injuries. The other options involve areas outside the chest: nasal or lip injuries bleed from those surfaces, not from the lungs, and abdominal injuries typically cause abdominal pain or signs of internal bleeding in the abdomen rather than blood coming from the airway. Because coughing up blood can indicate serious chest or lung injury, seek medical help right away and monitor breathing and comfort while awaiting care. If there are breathing difficulties or severe symptoms, call emergency services.