Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) Intermediate Practice Exam

In the case of a chemical burn, covering the affected area with ointment should be avoided because ointments can trap heat and chemical agents against the skin, potentially worsening the injury. Instead, the focus should be on removing the chemical agent from the skin, ideally by flushing the area with copious amounts of water to dilute and wash away the chemical. Immediate and thorough irrigation is crucial in minimizing tissue damage.

Assessing for signs of infection after appropriate decontamination is also important for ongoing patient care, but it is not something that should be prioritized before first ensuring that the chemical is adequately removed from the skin.