Prehospital Trauma Life Support (PHTLS) Practice Test

Which of the following is the preferred prehospital wound management for a patient with a 36% body surface area flame burn?

1. Cool moist dressings

2. Dry sterile dressings

3. Elastic bandages

4. Topical ointments

The correct answer is: Dry sterile dressings

The preferred prehospital wound management for a patient with a 36% body surface area flame burn is the application of dry sterile dressings. This approach is considered optimal for several reasons. First, dry sterile dressings provide a protective barrier that helps prevent infection, which is crucial in burn management. Open burns can easily become contaminated, leading to complications. A dry dressing keeps the wound covered and reduces the risk of infection by acting as a physical barrier. Second, using dry dressings allows for better management of heat loss from the burned area. While cooling is important in the initial phases after a burn occurs, once the wound is being treated, it is vital to cover it adequately to help maintain body temperature. Moist dressings, while initially beneficial in cooling burns, can lead to additional heat loss and are not recommended for long-term coverage. Additionally, topical ointments and elastic bandages may not provide adequate protection on their own for significant burns. Ointments might be delayed for use until further medical evaluation, and elastic bandages are primarily used for compression and are not suitable for open wounds like burns. Overall, the choice of dry sterile dressings aligns with best practices in managing significant flame burns prehospitally, ensuring protection, minimizing infection risk