What is a common indication for intubation in ACLS?

Severe respiratory failure is a critical indication for intubation in the context of Advanced Cardiovascular Life Support (ACLS). When a patient is unable to maintain adequate ventilation or oxygenation due to respiratory failure, intubation allows for the establishment of an airway and mechanical ventilation support. This intervention ensures that the patient can receive sufficient oxygen and have carbon dioxide effectively removed from the body, helping to prevent further complications that can arise from hypoxia or hypercapnia.

In contrast, uncontrolled hypertension, non-cardiac chest pain, and dehydration do not typically warrant immediate intubation. Uncontrolled hypertension primarily requires medical management to lower blood pressure, while non-cardiac chest pain can often be addressed with other treatments depending on the underlying cause. Dehydration, on the other hand, is usually treated with fluid administration and does not directly relate to airway management. Thus, severe respiratory failure clearly stands out as the primary and urgent indication for intubation in ACLS scenarios.