A patient is brought to the emergency department by ambulance after a house fire. Upon arrival, the nurse observes that the patient has burns to the entire head and neck, bilateral anterior and posterior arms, and chest and abdomen. The patient's vital signs are blood pressure 90/42, heart rate 125 bpm, respirations 34, and pulse oximetry 84%. Which of the following is the correct priority action for the nurse to take?

A. Apply cooled dressings to the wounds: While cooling burns is important to limit tissue damage, the patient’s extensive burns combined with facial and neck involvement and low oxygen saturation indicate a high risk of airway compromise. Addressing airway takes priority over wound care in the acute phase. B. Prepare the patient for intubation: Burns to the head, neck, and chest, along with soot inhalation or singed nasal hairs, place the patient at high risk for airway edema and respiratory obstruction. Early airway management is critical because edema can progress rapidly, making intubation more difficult and preventing hypoxia, which is life-threatening. C. Insert a nasogastric tube: Nasogastric decompression may be necessary for burn patients to reduce gastric distention and prevent aspiration, but it is not an immediate priority compared with securing the airway in a patient with respiratory compromise. D. Administer a lactated Ringer’s fluid bolus: Fluid resuscitation is essential for extensive burns to prevent hypovolemic shock, but initial priority remains securing the airway due to the immediate risk of obstruction from inhalation injury or facial/neck burns. Fluids can be initiated immediately after airway stabilization.