A 34-year-old man is brought to the emergency department by emergency medical services after being rescued from a closed-space house fire. He was found trapped in a smoke-filled bedroom. On arrival, he is awake but agitated. Physical examination reveals partial- and full-thickness burns over his anterior chest and bilateral upper extremities. He has singed nasal vibrissae, carbonaceous sputum in the oropharynx, and a noticeably hoarse voice. Vital signs are temperature 37.1°C (98.8°F), blood pressure 110/70 mmHg, pulse 115/min, and respirations 28/min. Pulse oximetry shows an oxygen saturation of 94% on a 15 L/min non-rebreather face mask. Which of the following is the most appropriate immediate next step in the stabilization of this patient?
- Endotracheal intubationCevap
- BCalculation of total body surface area burned and initiation of lactated Ringer solution
- CArterial blood gas analysis with co-oximetry
- DPortable chest radiography
- EDiagnostic flexible bronchoscopy