Never assume the burn victim is merely burned. The burn victim may have been injured by an explosion or fall. Airway compromise or lung injury may be present.
Shock is often present in severely burned patients.
Once edema develops, intubation may be impossible, and even cricothyrotomy may not be successful due to upper tracheal edema. Assume airway burns are present in patients with severe facial burns, burns suffered in an enclosed space, and in those with nasal or oral burns. It's better to err on the side of intubation. IVs can be started through second or third-degree burns. Begin a rapid fluid infusion.