A pre-hospital team is managing a patient with a large burn involving the face, neck, and upper chest. The patient currently has a patent airway with ...

Question

A pre-hospital team is managing a patient with a large burn involving the face, neck, and upper chest. The patient currently has a patent airway with no stridor. However, the attending physician decides to intubate electively. Why?

Accepted Answer

Burns involving the face and neck cause progressive upper airway oedema over 12-24 hours - elective intubation when the airway is still patent is far safer than emergency intubation through a critically swollen airway later

Answer

The patient will develop pneumonia requiring ventilation

Answer

All burns patients must be intubated regardless of airway status

Answer

Intubation prevents scarring of the face

Answer

The CO poisoning always requires intubation

uk-dipimc MCQ (SBA): Elective Intubation in Burns

A pre-hospital team is managing a patient with a large burn involving the face, neck, and upper chest. The patient currently has a patent airway with no stridor. However, the attending physician decides to intubate electively. Why?