Question

A patient presents with a painful blistering thermal burn involving the first, second, and third digits of his right hand. What is the most appropriate plan of care?

1) Apply an anesthetic cream to the area and open the blisters
2) Apply silver silvadene cream to the area followed by a bulky dressing
3) Refer the patient to a specialty burn center
4) Wrap the burn loosely with a nonadherent dressing and prescribe an analgesic

Answer 1

The most appropriate care for a patient with painful blistering thermal burns on their digits is to wrap the burn with a nonadherent dressing and prescribe pain management. More severe or complicated cases may require referral to a specialty burn center.

Step-by-step explanation:

A patient with a painful blistering thermal burn affecting the first, second, and third digits of the right hand is likely suffering from a combination of second-degree and possibly third-degree burns. The presence of blisters suggests damage to both the epidermis and portions of the dermis, characteristic of second-degree burns, while third-degree burns could account for deeper tissue damage and affected nerve endings. In this scenario, the most appropriate plan of care would be to wrap the burn loosely with a nonadherent dressing and prescribe an analgesic for pain management, option 4. This treatment helps protect the burn area from infection and addresses pain, without prematurely disrupting blistering, which can increase the risk of infection. However, if the burn's severity is extensive or signs of complications are present, referring the patient to a specialty burn center may be necessary.