"SLC21/WK6: Understanding Burns: Types, Causes, and First Aid Responses "

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Q.1 Write a detailed first aid response for the following scenario" You witness a child accidentally spilling hot tea on their arm. What immediate steps will you take? What actions will you avoid? Include considerations for burn severity and explain your reasons

Thermal burns are very common, especially at home.

IMMEDIATE STEPS TO TAKE:

Use "DRABC" with Safety First
I need to quickly move the child away from danger. This action will also help keep me safe from any accidents or further issues.

Evaluate the Situation (Burn level or severity)
When evaluating the situation, I determine the burn level. A first-degree burn shows redness and slight swelling. If there are blisters and significant pain, it’s a second-degree burn. A third-degree burn appears white or charred and is painless.

Cooling the Burn
We should run cool, room temperature water over the burn for about 20 minutes. This helps soothe the area and reduce pain.

Remove Items Near the Burn
It’s important to remove any materials around the burn before applying water. This helps prevent further irritation and infection.

Monitor and Comfort the Child
Keeping the child calm is crucial to lessen their pain. Providing emotional support is important, and it helps check for signs of shock in serious cases.

Call for Help
For second and third-degree burns, we need to get medical help right away to manage the situation.

THINGS TO STEER CLEAR OF:

I will not use ICE.
Using ice can cause more damage to the injury. Instead, I will use cool, room temperature water.

I will not break blisters.
Breaking blisters can lead to infection and does not help the child.

I will not apply oily or creamy substances.
Avoiding these helps prevent trapping heat in the injury, which can make it worse.

I will not cover the burn with clothing.
It’s more important to let the injury cool than to cover it, as covering can cause irritation.

I will not panic.
Staying calm helps everyone feel more at ease.

Considerations

Burn severity is classified into three types, and our considerations will align with these categories:

First Degree Burn:
This is the most common and least serious type of burn. It usually heals well with basic cooling and care. Areas affected by this burn typically need little to no medical help.

Second Degree Burn:
This type is moderate and affects both the outer layer (epidermis) and the second layer (dermis) of skin. It may require medical attention, especially if it occurs on sensitive areas of the body.

Third Degree Burn:
This is the most severe type and always needs medical care due to the extent of the damage. It penetrates deeper than second-degree burns and may sometimes require surgical intervention.

Reasoning

The main goal of these steps is to prevent further damage, irritation, and pain. We aim to manage injuries effectively and provide cooling to soothe the affected area.

Q.2 "A worker in a warehouse suffers an electrical burn after touching exposed live wires. The burn site shows entrance and exit points, with damage to the skin and underlying tissues. What are the immediate first aid actions you should take, and what critical steps should you avoid? How does this differ from treating thermal burns?"

IMMEDIATE FIRST AID STEPS TO FOLLOW:

• Make sure the area is safe by looking for live wires, flames, or chemicals. Call for help if you need assistance.

• Switch off the power source before moving the victim.

• Check if the victim is awake and responsive. If not, perform CPR. Clear their airways and remove any tight clothing or jewelry.

• Use a fire extinguisher to put out any flames.

• Do not put the victim in water to prevent shock and overheating.

• Cover them loosely with clean, dry cloth or sterile gauze.

• Get the patient ready to be taken to the hospital for further care.

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WHAT CRITICAL STEPS TO AVOID?

• Never enter the fire scene without wearing Personal Protective Equipment like coveralls, rubber boots, and rubber gloves. This helps prevent contact with live wires.

• Avoid putting the victim in water, as this can lead to shock.

• Do not pop or open any blisters.

• Refrain from rubbing anything on the blisters, including home remedies.

• Do not wrap the burn area tightly.

DIFFERENCE FROM TREATING THERMAL BURNS?

Treating electric burns is different from treating thermal burns due to the severity of the injuries. Electric burns are usually more serious and can be classified as 2nd or 3rd degree burns. In these cases, first aid is not enough; professional medical help is essential.

Q3. "A worker in a factory accidentally spills a strong acid on their arm, causing immediate pain, redness, and blistering. A colleague tries to wash it off with water but notices the burn spreading."A. Identify the type of burn.B. What went wrong during the initial first aid?.C. Propose the correct first aid steps and explain why each step is important

• A: This type of burn is called a chemical burn Chemical burns happen when strong acids spill and harm the skin. Signs of these burns include pain, redness, and blisters, which show that the skin has been damaged by the chemicals.

• B: In the first aid response, the mistake was that the colleague attempted to wash off the acid with water, which can react with the acid and make the situation worse.

• C: CORRECT FIRST AID STEP:

• Call for help, dial emergency number for urgent medical assistance.

• Protect yourself by using gloves to keep your hands safe from the chemical.

• Take off clothing and gently remove any clothes or jewelry that have the chemical on them.

• Remove dry chemicals but if the chemical is dry, brush it off the skin carefully. Be careful not to get it in your eyes or the victim's eyes.

• Rinse with water, wash the affected area with cool running water for at least 20 minutes. Keep rinsing even if the chemical seems gone.

• Be careful with your eye. If the chemical gets in the eye, tilt the head and gently rinse with cool water for 20 minutes.

• Cover the burn by using a dry, clean dressing or cloth to cover the burned area.

• Treat for shock. If the person looks faint, pale, or breathes quickly and shallowly, help them for shock.

• Ease pain by using cool, wet cloths to help reduce pain.

• Follow up to contact your doctor within 24 hours for further care.

All these steps are important because you can stop infection and aid your burn in healing, you can keep the burn clean and change the bandages regularly.

Taking care of the burn while it heals can help avoid bad scars. For most chemical burns, rinse the area with a lot of water to remove the chemical from the skin.

Q4. "You are a first responder in a rural area. Two people are injured in a house fire: Person A has a large area of third-degree burns but is conscious and calm. Person B has second-degree burns on both legs and is in severe pain. You can only help one person immediately due to resource constraints. Whom do you prioritize, and why? Support your decision with medical and ethical reasoning

As a first aid responder, my mind should be focused on helping the person with the third-degree burn first.

In this case, the top priority should be person A, who has serious third-degree burns. Even though person A seems alert and calm, these burns show deep tissue harm and could affect vital organs. Such severe burns can lead to shock, infection, and damage to internal organs. If not treated right away, it could be life-threatening quickly.

Person B is in a lot of pain and has second-degree burns, which affect the outer layers of the skin. These burns can heal well with the right treatment. Focusing on person A aligns with medical triage, which aims to help those who are more likely to survive with prompt care.

This choice also reflects the ethical idea of saving those we can, considering the risks faced by each person.

Q5: Create an infographic on burn management. Include the following: a. Types of Burns and Their Causes (Electrical, Thermal, etc) b. Different types of burns (1st, 2nd, and 3rd degree) c. First aid steps for minor and major burns d. What NOT to Do During Burn First Aid." Use visuals and short explanations for each point.

I invite @mariami @john247 @ukagod