After stopping the burning process, emergency care for a patient with partial- and full-thickness burns to the chest and upper extremities includes all of the following EXCEPT:

• A. Flushing the burns with cool water for 10 minutes.
• B. Preparing to assist the patient's ventilations.
• C. Covering the burns with dry, sterile dressings.
• D. Avoiding the use of burn ointments or antiseptics.

Answer: (A)

After stopping the burn, the focus is on protecting the airway and breathing, keeping the wound clean, and getting the patient to definitive care. For large burns to the chest and both arms, you want to prioritize securing the airway and supporting ventilation, and you should treat the wound with dry sterile dressings and avoid topical ointments or antiseptics. Cooling large burn areas with prolonged running water is not advised because it can lower the patient’s body temperature and worsen shock; in big burns, the risk of hypothermia makes prolonged cooling inappropriate. Cooling for a short period is acceptable only for small, superficial burns, but not as a routine measure for extensive chest/arm burns. So the action of flushing the burns with cool water for 10 minutes is not appropriate in this scenario, making it the exception. The other steps—preparing to assist ventilations, covering with dry dressings, and avoiding burn ointments or antiseptics—are correct care after stopping the burn.