An intoxicated 28-year-old female has suffered burns to both legs after passing out next to a space heater, which ignited her pants. Emergency Medical Responders have removed her clothing and cooled the burns. Which action is most appropriate in the continued care of this patient?

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Covering the burns with a clean, white, dry sheet helps protect the burn area from infection and further injury without introducing excessive moisture, which can increase the risk of infection or hypothermia. Wet dressings (A) are not typically recommended for initial burn care outside of a hospital setting due to the risk of hypothermia. Ice packs (C) can cause further tissue damage and are not recommended. Cleaning the burn with sterile saline and covering with gauze (D) is more invasive and may not be appropriate for emergency responders without advanced training; initial focus should be on protecting the burn area from further harm.

An Intoxicated 28-Year-Old Female Has Suffered Burns to Both Legs