Chemical burn — DipIMC MCQ

Correct answer: A — Remove contaminated clothing and irrigate with water

Explanation lettering: D = shown as B · E = shown as D · B = shown as E

A is correct: Chemical burns require removal of contamination and prolonged irrigation while maintaining rescuer safety. B is less suitable because it moves the patient before the decisive threat or destination issue is addressed; C is less suitable because analgesia is important but does not replace the first physiological intervention; D is less suitable because pre-alert is needed when definitive teams must prepare; E is less suitable because it does not address the discriminator in the vignette. The most tempting alternative is therefore suboptimal because it either delays the time-critical pre-hospital intervention or sends the patient to the wrong level of care. The key DipIMC principle is focused cABCDE decision-making with early pre-alert, triage or retrieval escalation when the scene physiology demands it.

Reference: JRCALC Guidelines; Resuscitation Council UK Special Circumstances; ATACC