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Chemical burn skin — DipIMC MCQ

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EasyEnvironmental MedicineChemical burn skinDipIMC

A factory worker spills strong alkali over his forearm and the chemical remains on his sleeve. A safety shower is nearby. What is the most appropriate immediate action?

Educational content. Not a substitute for clinical judgement or local policy.

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Correct answer: ERemove contaminated clothing and irrigate with copious water

Option E is correct because Chemical burns require immediate removal of contaminated material and prolonged irrigation. Option B is less appropriate because oxygen may be supportive, but it does not address the defining time-critical problem first; option D is less appropriate because vascular access is useful, but it should not delay the immediate priority. Option C is less appropriate because it is plausible in a different scenario but suboptimal for the features described; option A is less appropriate because delay would increase clinical risk. Clinical pearl: in DipIMC-style questions, the best answer is the intervention that changes outcome earliest in the pre-hospital phase.

Reference: JRCALC Guidelines; Resuscitation Council UK First Aid Guidelines