Your patient with facial burns from a house fire is being assessed in the Emergency Department. He begins to develop hoarseness, stridor, and difficulty speaking. What is the priority nursing action?

Rationale: A. Monitoring vital signs every 15 minutes is incorrect because while ongoing monitoring is important, this patient is showing signs of impending airway obstruction, which requires immediate intervention. Simply monitoring is not sufficient. B. Placing the patient in high Fowler’s position is incorrect because positioning may help with comfort and breathing, but it does not address the critical airway threat posed by inhalation injury or upper airway edema. C. Notifying the physician and preparing for intubation is correct because hoarseness, stridor, and difficulty speaking are early indicators of airway compromise due to inhalation injury or facial burns. Airway edema can progress rapidly, making early, controlled intubation the priority before the airway becomes completely obstructed. D. Administering high-flow oxygen via non-rebreather mask is incorrect as the sole intervention because oxygen alone will not prevent airway obstruction. While supplemental oxygen may be supportive, the priority is securing the airway.