Questions: Your patient has sustained a chemical burn to her hands from dry lime. How is this treated in the field? A. Brush off the powder before using water to flush. B. Flush the patient immediately with water. C. Use only sterile water to flush the patient. D. Use baby oil to flush the injury.

Your patient has sustained a chemical burn to her hands from dry lime. How is this treated in the field?
A. Brush off the powder before using water to flush.
B. Flush the patient immediately with water.
C. Use only sterile water to flush the patient.
D. Use baby oil to flush the injury.

Transcript text: Your patient has sustained a chemical burn to her hands from dry lime. How is this treated in the field? A. Brush off the powder before using water to flush. B. Flush the patient immediately with water. C. Use only sterile water to flush the patient. D. Use baby oil to flush the injury.

Solution

Solution Steps

Step 1: Identify the nature of the chemical burn

Dry lime (calcium oxide) is a chemical that can cause burns when it comes into contact with moisture, forming calcium hydroxide, which is highly caustic.

Step 2: Determine the appropriate initial action

The first step in treating a chemical burn from dry lime is to remove the dry chemical to prevent further reaction with moisture on the skin.

Step 3: Choose the correct treatment method

Brushing off the dry lime powder before using water is crucial because adding water directly can exacerbate the burn by forming a caustic solution.