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Inhalational burn injury — ACEM Fellowship MCQ

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HardTraumaInhalational burn injuryACEM Fellowship

A 44-year-old man is brought to a Perth ED, triage category 1, after a house fire. He has facial burns, singed nasal hair, hoarse voice and carbonaceous sputum. SpO2 is 99% on high-flow oxygen, RR 28, and oropharyngeal oedema is increasing during assessment. What is the most important immediate action?

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Correct answer: A — Perform early definitive airway control

Hoarseness, carbonaceous sputum and evolving oedema after fire exposure predict airway loss; early intubation is safer than delayed rescue.

Reference: ANZBA burns referral criteria; ARC airway principles