The nurse identifies that which patient with a burn injury will most likely require endotracheal intubation or a tracheostomy tube? The patient with:

A. Radiation burns are less likely to cause airway compromise requiring intubation. B. Thermal burns to the head, neck, face, and airway pose a high risk of airway edema and obstruction, necessitating early airway protection with intubation or tracheostomy. C. Chemical burns to the posterior neck and back are less likely to impact the airway directly. D. Electrical burns to the hands can cause dysrhythmias but typically do not require airway management unless complications develop.