Effective management of thermal injuries prioritizes airway control, stopping the burning process, and hemodynamic resuscitation to minimize morbidity and mortality. The primary survey begins by completely removing the patient's clothing to stop burning, brushing away dry chemicals, and covering the patient with warm linens to prevent hypothermia. Airway obstruction may be insidious due to progressive edema, particularly in patients with burns to the face, burns inside the mouth, or those involving more than 40% to 50% of the total body surface area (TBSA). Inhalation injury is a major concern in enclosed-space fires, requiring immediate administration of 100% oxygen to treat potential carbon monoxide poisoning, as standard pulse oximetry does not distinguish between oxyhemoglobin and carboxyhemoglobin.

Burn shock differs from hemorrhagic s ...