What does retractions accompanied by stridor suggest?

Retractions accompanied by stridor indicate an upper airway obstruction. Stridor is a high-pitched sound typically heard during inhalation, suggesting that there is a narrowing or blockage in the upper airway, such as the larynx or trachea. This can be due to various conditions, including croup, anaphylaxis, foreign body aspiration, or other forms of airway obstruction.

Bronchiolitis primarily affects the lower airways and is characterized by wheezing rather than stridor. Pneumonia often produces crackles or decreased breath sounds but does not typically present with stridor or retractions as primary signs. Asthma is usually associated with wheezing and can involve retractions, but stridor specifically points toward upper airway issues, making upper airway obstruction the most fitting answer in this scenario.