You are dispatched to an industrial plant for a burn.You arrive and find a 60-year-old male who came in contact with a broken steam line and appears to have partial thickness burns on both hands and arms.He is lying on the ground and coworkers are gently spraying him with water from a nearby hose.What should you do?

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The first priority in this situation is to care for the burn and assess the patient. Pouring water on the burns is appropriate first aid, but the patient needs a complete assessment, including cervical spine precautions, before transport. Age alone is not a primary factor in determining where to transport a burn patient. Air transport may be necessary, but that decision should be made after initial assessment and stabilization. Contacting the burn center is also appropriate, but it should not delay necessary treatment and transport.

You Are Dispatched to an Industrial Plant for a Burn