TYK31

Indications for early endotracheal intubation in burn patients include all of the following EXCEPT:

A. Oropharyngeal burns

B. Full thickness circumferential neck burns

C. Stridor

D. Bronchospasm

E. Depressed mental status

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Answer

The correct answer is D. Bronchospasm is common after smoke exposure. Although it may signal significant smoke exposure, it is not an indication for intubation in isolation. In fact, intubation may make bronchospasm worse. ^[1]

Notes

↑ Madnani DD1, Steele NP, de Vries E. Factors that predict the need for intubation in patients with smoke inhalation injury. Ear Nose Throat J. 2006 Apr;85(4):278-80. [1]

Kudchadkar SR, Hamrick JT, Mai CL, Berkowitz I, Tunkel D. The heat is on... thermal epiglottitis as a late presentation of airway steam injury. J Emerg Med. 2014 Feb;46(2):e43-6.

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About Test Your Knowledge

[1] Madnani DD1, Steele NP, de Vries E. Factors that predict the need for intubation in patients with smoke inhalation injury. Ear Nose Throat J. 2006 Apr;85(4):278-80. [1]

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