What should you do if a burn is severe?

• A. Direct the student to the Wellness Center for further medical attention.
• B. Treat at home with cold water only.
• C. Apply ointment and cover with gauze.
• D. Ignore and watch.

Answer: (A)

When a burn is severe, the priority is professional medical evaluation to prevent complications and ensure proper treatment. Directing the student to the Wellness Center for further medical attention ensures a clinician can assess burn depth and size, manage pain, clean and dress the wound appropriately, check tetanus status, and arrange additional care if needed. This on-site evaluation helps prevent infection, fluid loss, and improper healing, and it can determine whether urgent transfer is necessary.

Trying to treat a severe burn at home with cold water only isn’t sufficient and could delay critical care. Applying ointment and covering with gauze may hinder proper wound assessment and infection control, and it can trap heat or contaminants. Ignoring the injury and simply watching it can allow damage to worsen and lead to serious complications.