What is the correct order for actions during a dressing change for a partial-thickness burn wound on a patient's chest?

The correct order for the actions during a dressing change for a partial-thickness burn wound on a patient's chest is grounded in prioritizing patient safety and pain management.

Administering IV fentanyl first is essential because partial-thickness burns can be quite painful. Ensuring that the patient is adequately sedated or pain-free significantly improves their comfort as the dressing change occurs. Following pain management, cleaning the wound with saline-soaked gauze is the next crucial step; it helps to remove any debris or exudate, thereby preventing infection and promoting healing.

After cleaning, applying silver sulfadiazine cream is a key step. This antimicrobial cream helps to prevent infection while providing a moist healing environment for the burn. Once the cream is in place, applying a sterile gauze dressing protects the wound from external contaminants and provides a barrier to further injury. Finally, documenting the wound appearance is important for records and ongoing assessment and care of the patient's wound.

This sequence ensures both effective treatment of the burn and patient comfort throughout the procedure, illustrating the importance of a systematic approach to wound care.