Trauma Nurse Core Course (TNCC) Practice Exam

In cases of severe burns, the immediate priority is to remove the patient from the source of burning. This action is critical because it helps prevent further injury and minimizes the damage done to the skin and underlying tissues. By ensuring that the patient is no longer exposed to the heat source, care can be effectively focused on managing the burn and providing further treatment.

Focusing on removing the source of the burn prevents ongoing injury and complications, which is essential in the acute management of burn victims. Once the patient is removed from danger, other interventions can follow, such as assessing the severity of burns, initiating first aid measures, and providing supportive care.

Other options like applying ice, covering burns with ointments, or administering antibiotics do not constitute the immediate priority. Ice can lead to further tissue damage, ointments should be applied after initial care, and antibiotics are generally indicated later in the treatment process, particularly when infection is a concern, rather than being an initial priority in the acute phase following a burn injury.