What immediate action should be taken for a patient with suspected airway burns?

When a patient has suspected airway burns, providing 100% oxygen therapy is crucial because it helps to ensure adequate oxygenation to the tissues, especially in the presence of smoke inhalation or thermal injury to the airway. Inhalation injuries can lead to edema and airway obstruction, potentially compromising the patient's ability to get enough oxygen. By administering 100% oxygen, it increases the amount of oxygen available in the bloodstream and helps to counteract the effects of carbon monoxide or other toxic gases that may have been inhaled, ultimately supporting the body's oxygen demands during this critical time.

Immediate administration of 100% oxygen can also aid in the prevention of hypoxia, which can lead to further complications if not managed promptly.

While intubation may ultimately be necessary to secure the airway in cases of significant respiratory compromise or edema, it is not always the immediate action required. Other interventions such as intravenous fluids and manual ventilation might also be important in the overall management of the patient, but they are not the primary focus immediately after identifying airway burns. Ensuring the patient receives oxygen first is paramount to addressing the most urgent and life-threatening condition at hand.