Which of the following statements about burn treatment is accurate?

Which of the following statements about burn treatment is accurate?

• A. All burns should be treated with ice to reduce pain
• B. Electric burns require special attention to cardiac function
• C. All burns are treated the same way regardless of origin
• D. Topical antibiotics can be applied to all types of burns immediately

Answer: (B)

Electric burns require special attention to cardiac function because of the unique risks they pose. When an individual sustains an electric burn, the current can travel through the body, potentially causing damage to not just the skin but also affecting internal organs, including the heart. The electrical current can disrupt the normal electrical pathways of the heart, leading to arrhythmias or cardiac arrest. This is particularly crucial because the external injuries may not fully represent the internal damage sustained, similar to electrical injuries causing deep tissue damage. Therefore, monitoring cardiac function in patients with electric burns is essential in their immediate management and long-term care. In contrast, the other statements lack critical accuracy. For example, treating all burns with ice can lead to further tissue damage and is not appropriate for many types of burns. Additionally, the treatment for burns often varies depending on their origin, such as thermal, chemical, or electrical. Lastly, topical antibiotics should not be applied to all types of burns immediately since certain burns require specific treatment protocols based on their depth and severity.

Electric burns require special attention to cardiac function because of the unique risks they pose. When an individual sustains an electric burn, the current can travel through the body, potentially causing damage to not just the skin but also affecting internal organs, including the heart. The electrical current can disrupt the normal electrical pathways of the heart, leading to arrhythmias or cardiac arrest. This is particularly crucial because the external injuries may not fully represent the internal damage sustained, similar to electrical injuries causing deep tissue damage. Therefore, monitoring cardiac function in patients with electric burns is essential in their immediate management and long-term care.

In contrast, the other statements lack critical accuracy. For example, treating all burns with ice can lead to further tissue damage and is not appropriate for many types of burns. Additionally, the treatment for burns often varies depending on their origin, such as thermal, chemical, or electrical. Lastly, topical antibiotics should not be applied to all types of burns immediately since certain burns require specific treatment protocols based on their depth and severity.