What complication is most likely to develop in a patient with burns covering significant body surface area?

In a patient with burns covering a significant body surface area, the most likely complication to develop is sepsis. This is primarily due to the extensive damage to the skin, which serves as a critical barrier against pathogens. When burns are extensive, the risk of infection significantly increases, as bacteria can easily penetrate the damaged skin.

As infection develops, the body’s immune response may be inadequate due to the stress of the injury, leading to systemic involvement and ultimately sepsis, which is a life-threatening condition characterized by widespread inflammation, organ dysfunction, and potentially septic shock. The progression from localized infection to systemic sepsis is a crucial concern in burn patients and requires immediate medical intervention to manage.

While complications like infection, respiratory distress, and dehydration are also important considerations in burn patients, they often lead to or contribute to the development of sepsis. For instance, infections stemming from burn wounds can quickly escalate if not treated promptly, resulting in systemic issues. Respiratory distress can occur, especially if the burns are inhalation injuries, but this complication is not as universally prevalent as sepsis in broad surface area burns. Dehydration is indeed a major concern as well, but again it is often a precursor to systemic complications like sepsis. Thus, in the