For which of the following patients should the EMT carefully continue to monitor the patient's ventilatory status throughout treatment and transport due to the greatest risk of respiratory failure?
A) 17-year-old male with a blistering sunburn on his face
B) 34-year-old male who opened the radiator of his car and had hot fluid spray on his chest, resulting in redness and pain in an area about the size of the patient's hand
C) 28-year-old male who spilled a strong industrial acid on his legs
D) 16-year-old male whose shirt caught on fire, resulting in circumferential burns of his chest

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The 16-year-old male who sustained circumferential burns of his chest is at the greatest risk for respiratory failure due to the potential for the burns to impair chest wall movement and limit ventilation. The EMT should carefully monitor this patient's ventilatory status and be prepared to provide respiratory support as needed. While the other patients may require treatment for their injuries, they are not at as great a risk for respiratory failure as the patient with circumferential burns.

For Which of the Following Patients Should the EMT Carefully