A patient from a residential fire presents with hoarse voice and singed nasal hairs. What is the initial airway management step?

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Inhalation injury from a fire demands immediate attention to oxygenation and the airway. Signs like hoarseness and singed nasal hairs flag airway irritation and the potential for rapid swelling, so the first priority is to provide high-flow oxygen and monitor the airway closely. Giving 100% oxygen helps displace inhaled toxins like carbon monoxide and improves tissue oxygen delivery, while also readying you to respond if edema progresses. Intubation is not automatically required right away unless there are developing signs of airway obstruction or respiratory failure; preparing for airway control should be ongoing, but the initial move is to optimize oxygenation and watch for deterioration. Trendelenburg positioning isn’t helpful here, and a nebulized bronchodilator alone won’t address the immediate airway risk.