A patient in respiratory failure requires which of the following procedures?

In cases of respiratory failure, the primary goal is to secure the patient's airway and ensure adequate ventilation. Intubation is a procedure where a tube is inserted into the trachea to facilitate mechanical ventilation, which is critical for patients who are unable to breathe effectively on their own or who have significant airway obstruction.

Although CPAP (Continuous Positive Airway Pressure) and BIPAP (Bilevel Positive Airway Pressure) can be used in some instances of respiratory failure to provide non-invasive ventilation support, they are typically not the first-line intervention for severe cases where the patient's ability to protect their airway is compromised or where there is a need for more controlled ventilation, such as in cases of severe airway collapse or respiratory exhaustion.

Incision and drainage is a procedure typically related to abscesses or fluid collections and is not relevant in the context of respiratory failure, which specifically pertains to the patient's ability to breathe and maintain adequate gas exchange.

Joint reduction is a procedure used to realign dislocated joints and has no application in addressing respiratory failure.

Therefore, intubation stands out as the necessary and most appropriate intervention for a patient in respiratory failure who requires immediate support for their breathing.