Question

Which procedures should a physician follow when examining a patient at the scene of an electrical burn? Check all that apply.

Make sure that the source of electricity is turned off.

Look for two burn sites on the body.

Call 9-1-1 only if the burn covers over fifteen percent of the body.

Flush the burn with plenty of cool water.

Answer 1

Correct answers:
- Make sure that the source of electricity is turned off.
- Look for two burn sites on the body.
- Flush the burn with plenty of cool water.

Explanation (brief):
- Never touch the patient while the electrical source is still active — turn off the power or move the source away with a nonconductive object.
- Electrical injuries often have an entry and exit wound and can cause deeper/internal damage, so inspect for both.
- Cool superficial burns with plenty of cool (not ice‑cold) water for several minutes; remove jewelry and clothing near the burn and cover with a clean, dry dressing.

"Call 9‑1‑1 only if the burn covers over fifteen percent of the body" is incorrect — you should call emergency services for any significant electrical injury (high voltage, unconsciousness, breathing or cardiac problems, chest pain, burns to head/neck/torso, suspected internal injury), not only based on a percentage.