Toxic inhalation (e.g., CO exposure) burns: which is recommended?

• A. Move patient to safe environment; 100% O2 via mask; consider hyperbaric chamber for CO poisoning
• B. Administer aspirin
• C. Put on cold compress
• D. Give IV lidocaine

Answer: (A)

In toxic inhalation such as carbon monoxide exposure, the priority is to remove the patient from the contaminated environment and quickly correct tissue hypoxia by maximizing oxygen delivery. Move the patient to a safe environment, then administer 100% oxygen via a tight-fitting mask to rapidly displace CO from hemoglobin and raise dissolved oxygen in the blood. Hyperbaric oxygen therapy is considered when available for CO poisoning in patients with significant symptoms (such as neurologic or cardiac involvement) or high risk (pregnancy, very high CO levels), because it accelerates CO clearance and provides greater tissue oxygenation.

Aspirin, cold compresses, or IV lidocaine do not address the underlying problem of CO-induced hypoxia and are not standard initial treatments in this scenario.