The Call: Burns from a Kitchen Fire Read the scenario. Then in the space provided,answer the questions that follow. You and your partner are riding back to the firehouse after your last call when you suddenly spot smoke coming from a small residence. Your partner immediately notifics dispatch for a full alarm assignment. Just as you bring your vehicle to a stop, the front door bursts open and a young man practically falls through onto the sidewalk You and your partner both Emergency Medical Responders, gather your first response bags and hurry over to him. He tells you that he was cooking and had a grease fire , which he tried to put out but could not. You and your patient move a safe distance from the house and you begin a primary assessment. You see that the front of the man's shirt and the shirtsleeves are scorehed and still smoking. He also has what appear to be partial-thickness burns to his entire right arm including his hand, the front of his torso (both chest and abdomen), and his entire head and neck. 1. What is the first step in Emergency Medical Responder care of this patient? Why is this step so important? __ 2. Consider the "rule of nines." Approximately what percentage of this patient's body surface area is burned? What is the severity of the burns, and why?

## Step 1<br />The first step in Emergency Medical Responder care of this patient is to ensure the safety of the scene. This is crucial because it ensures the safety of the responders and the patient. The scene must be safe from any potential hazards such as fire or structural collapse.<br /><br />## Step 2<br />The next step is to provide immediate care to the patient. This includes cooling the burns, removing any clothing that is stuck to the burns, and covering the burns with a clean, non-stick bandage.<br /><br />## Step 3<br />The "rule of nines" is a method used to estimate the total body surface area (TBSA) affected by burns. According to this rule, the patient's body is divided into sections, each representing approximately 9% of the body surface area. The patient's burns are on the front of his torso (both chest and abdomen), his entire right arm including his hand, and his entire head and neck. This would be approximately 36% of the body surface area.<br /><br />## Step 4<br />The severity of the burns is determined by the depth of the burns. Partial-thickness burns, which are the type of burns the patient has, extend into the dermis layer of the skin. These burns are characterized by blisters, swelling, and severe pain. They are considered severe because they affect a large percentage of the body surface area and can lead to shock, respiratory distress, and other complications.