How should you care for a patient's arm that is covered with a dry chemical?

How should you care for a patient's arm that is covered with a dry chemical?

• A. Brush away the chemical before flushing with water.
• B. Deactivate the chemical with a 5% vinegar solution.
• C. Use forceful streams of water to remove the chemical.
• D. Quickly irrigate the arm with large amounts of water.

Answer: (A)

The appropriate action for caring for a patient's arm covered with a dry chemical is to first brush away the chemical before flushing with water. This is important because simply flushing with water while the chemical is still on the skin can lead to further irritation or burns, as the chemical can become more reactive when wet. By brushing it away, you eliminate a significant portion of the substance that could cause harm. The brushing should be done gently with a gloved hand or a soft cloth to avoid spreading the chemical to other areas of the body or breaking the skin. After the bulk of the chemical is removed, it's then safe to flush the area with large amounts of water to ensure that any remaining traces of the dry chemical are washed away completely. This approach minimizes injury and ensures proper care of the patient’s skin.

The appropriate action for caring for a patient's arm covered with a dry chemical is to first brush away the chemical before flushing with water. This is important because simply flushing with water while the chemical is still on the skin can lead to further irritation or burns, as the chemical can become more reactive when wet. By brushing it away, you eliminate a significant portion of the substance that could cause harm. The brushing should be done gently with a gloved hand or a soft cloth to avoid spreading the chemical to other areas of the body or breaking the skin. After the bulk of the chemical is removed, it's then safe to flush the area with large amounts of water to ensure that any remaining traces of the dry chemical are washed away completely. This approach minimizes injury and ensures proper care of the patient’s skin.