What should you do if a thermal burn is greater than 10% of TBSA?

When addressing thermal burns that exceed 10% of the total body surface area (TBSA), immediate and appropriate care is crucial. Covering the burn with a dry sterile dressing serves several important purposes. It protects the damaged skin from infection, provides a barrier to contamination, and helps to maintain a stable temperature in the affected area. This is essential in managing burn injuries, as the skin's integrity has been compromised, making the patient more susceptible to infection.

While cooling the area with saline might seem beneficial initially to reduce the burn's heat, it's not the primary action for larger burns, as it should not delay crucial treatments such as transfer to a specialized burn center. Administering intravenous fluids is indeed critical in more severe burns, especially in the case of burns greater than 10% TBSA, but this is typically performed in a medical facility or as part of a more protocol-driven approach once the patient is stabilized for transport.

In summary, covering the area with a dry sterile dressing is a key immediate action to protect and prepare the burn site as part of the overall management plan, especially before transfer to a burn center. This answer reflects the proper use of first aid along with adherence to established protocols for burn treatment, ensuring optimal care for the