Question 61 QMED05 - Machinist-Pump Technician

The Correct Answer is D **Why option D is correct:** Electrical burns involve current passing through the body. This current typically has an entry point and an exit point. While the entry burn may be visible, the internal damage caused by the current path is often severe, and the exit wound (the "second burn") can be small and easily missed. It is critical for first responders and medical personnel to locate both entry and exit wounds to assess the full extent of internal organ and tissue damage, and to ensure proper monitoring and treatment for complications like arrhythmias, kidney failure, and compartment syndrome. **Why the other options are incorrect:** * **A) remove any dirt or charred skin from the burned area:** While debridement (removing damaged tissue/dirt) is a necessary medical step, it is typically performed by healthcare professionals in a sterile environment after initial stabilization. A layperson first responder's priority is stabilization and assessment (breathing, circulation, and identifying the path of the electricity), not wound cleaning, which could risk infection or further injury. * **B) locate the nearest water source and flood the burn with water for five minutes:** Applying cool water to thermal burns is a standard first aid measure. However, with electrical burns, the immediate priority is addressing the potentially fatal cardiac and respiratory issues, and identifying the full path of the current. Furthermore, prolonged flooding might cool a patient who is already at risk of hypothermia, and it doesn't address the systemic damage unique to electrical injury. * **C) apply alcohol to the burn area and wrap with clean cloth:** Alcohol is a drying agent and an antiseptic, but it is highly irritating to damaged tissue and should never be applied to a significant burn wound. It can cause severe pain and further cellular damage. Standard first aid involves covering the burn loosely with a clean, dry dressing or sheet, not applying alcohol.