Question

A home care nurse is visiting an older adult client. During the visit, the client's spouse sustains a minor thermal injury when cooking. The nurse intervenes, doing which of the following first?

A) Apply a topical ointment to the burn.
B) Cover the burn with a sterile bandage.
C) Flush the area with copious amounts of cool water.
D) Elevate the injured area.

Answer 1

The first intervention for a minor thermal injury is to flush the area with cool water.

Step-by-step explanation:

When treating a minor thermal injury, the home care nurse would first intervene by flushing the area with copious amounts of cool water to help cool the burn and remove any heat source. This step is important to prevent further damage to the skin and tissues and can help alleviate pain and reduce swelling. It is essential to apply cooling water to the burn as soon as possible to provide immediate relief and minimize potential complications.