Paediatric burns fluid trigger — DipIMC MCQ

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ModeratePaediatric and Obstetric EmergenciesPaediatric burns fluid triggerDipIMC

A 6-year-old has extensive scald burns to the chest and both arms. He is crying, cold and the burn appears greater than 10% body surface area. What is the most appropriate transport decision?

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Correct answer: C — Cool the burn appropriately, prevent hypothermia and transfer to specialist burns care with pre-alert

Cool the burn appropriately, prevent hypothermia and transfer to specialist burns care with pre-alert is the best answer because children with significant burns need cooling, warming and early specialist destination planning. Transport to the nearest hospital without pre-alert is less appropriate because unstructured destination choice can delay trauma-team activation; Transport to the nearest minor injury unit is less appropriate because a minor injury unit cannot provide definitive major trauma care. Delay transport for full wound cleaning and Remain on scene until observations normalise are also suboptimal because they move attention away from the key pre-hospital priority.. The key DipIMC principle is to treat immediate reversible threats, communicate clearly and move the patient toward the right definitive care.

Reference: British Burn Association Pre-hospital Burn Consensus; JRCALC Guidelines