A -year-old firefighter is brought to the emergency department after being extricated from an enclosed structural fire. He was trapped for approximately minutes. The patient is visibly agitated and has a hoarse voice with a brassy cough. Examination reveals singed nasal vibrissae and carbonaceous sputum in the oropharynx. There are full-thickness burns involving the anterior chest, abdomen, and bilateral upper extremities, covering approximately of his total body surface area. Vital signs include a blood pressure of mm Hg, a pulse of /min, and respirations of /min. Pulse oximetry shows on a non-rebreather mask. Which of the following interventions are indicated immediately? (Select all that apply)
- Perform prompt endotracheal intubationCevap
- Initiate aggressive intravenous crystalloid resuscitationCevap
- CArrange immediate transfer to a regional burn center prior to further intervention
- DAdminister intravenous furosemide to mitigate the risk of pulmonary edema
- EObtain a computed tomography scan of the chest to evaluate the extent of inhalation injury
Cevap
Perform prompt endotracheal intubation AND Initiate aggressive intravenous crystalloid resuscitation.
The correct answers address the patient's two immediate life-threatening issues: impending airway loss and severe shock. The patient exhibits classic signs of a thermal inhalation injury (hoarseness, singed nasal hairs, carbonaceous sputum, and entrapment in an enclosed fire). Inhalation injuries cause progressive upper airway edema that can rapidly result in complete airway obstruction; therefore, securing a definitive airway via prompt endotracheal intubation is the immediate priority. Simultaneously, the patient's extensive full-thickness burns and hemodynamic instability (hypotension, tachycardia) indicate burn shock, necessitating immediate, aggressive intravenous fluid resuscitation with crystalloids (e.g., lactated Ringer solution) to restore and maintain tissue perfusion.
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Anahtar Kavram
Initial stabilization of severe thermal and inhalation injuries requires simultaneously securing a definitive airway to prevent obstruction from edema and initiating aggressive intravenous fluid resuscitation to treat burn shock.