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Burn outpatient care — USMLE Step 3 MCQ

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EasySurgery (Post-operative / Follow-up)Burn outpatient careUSMLE Step 3

A 30-year-old man has a superficial partial-thickness burn over the anterior forearm after hot water exposure. The area is painful, blistered, and blanches. Total body surface area is 2% and tetanus status is unknown. Which of the following is the most appropriate next step in management?

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Correct answer: D — Clean the wound, update tetanus vaccination, and apply dressing

Small superficial partial-thickness burns are treated with wound care, analgesia, dressings, and tetanus update.

Reference: CDC immunization schedules, https://www.cdc.gov/vaccines/hcp/imz-schedules/index.html