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Trauma · Adult / adolescent · ALS

Burns & smoke inhalation

Support oxygenation, address pain and perfusion, and recognize burn-center referral criteria.

OCEMS source summary · Updated 2026-09-16

Key cautions & base contact

  • SpO₂ may look reassuring despite significant CO exposure.
  • Burn size alone does not determine destination: location, depth, mechanism, and comorbidities also matter.

Initial care

  • For enclosed-space or heavy-smoke exposure, give high-flow oxygen by mask as tolerated. Pulse oximetry may be misleading with carbon-monoxide exposure.
  • Use cooling measures for a still-symptomatic burn. For wheeze/suspected smoke inhalation, the source lists albuterol 5 mg/6 mL by continuous nebulization as tolerated.

Pain & circulation

  • Do not inject analgesics or place IV access through burned skin. With systolic BP above 90, options include morphine 5 mg (or 4 mg carpuject) IV/IM, or fentanyl 50 mcg IV/IM or 100 mcg IN; one repeat after 3 minutes is permitted as specified. Morphine IO use is limited to already-established access for saline.
  • For systolic BP at or below 90 or shock signs, establish access through unburned skin and give 250 mL saline boluses up to 1 L to maintain perfusion.

Burn-center contact

  • Contact base for suspected inhalation injury, electrical/lightning injury, or chemical burns; burns involving face, hands, feet, genitalia, or perineum; circumferential burns; or relevant complicating disease.
  • The source also includes second-degree burns above 10% TBSA and any third-degree burn. Base coordinates the burn-unit destination.

Chemical & electrical injuries

  • Brush away residual dry chemical. The source generally directs copious continuous water/saline irrigation, but specifically warns that some chemicals react dangerously with water; identify the substance and use appropriate hazard guidance.
  • Small-looking electrical wounds can conceal major deep injury and rhythm risk. Provide cardiac monitoring and ALS escort for the high-voltage exposure described by the source.
  • For suspected cyanide exposure, use PR-130/base-directed hydroxocobalamin rather than assuming every smoke exposure needs an antidote.