What is the primary concern when managing a patient with burns?

When managing a patient with burns, the primary concern is to protect the patient from infection and maintain fluid balance. Burns create an open wound that can serve as a portal for pathogens, making infection a significant risk. Additionally, the integrity of the skin, which acts as a barrier to infection and helps regulate body fluids, is compromised due to the injury.

Fluid balance is critical because extensive burns can lead to significant fluid loss through the damaged skin, potentially resulting in hypovolemic shock. The body may lose large amounts of fluid and electrolytes in this scenario, necessitating aggressive fluid resuscitation to prevent complications associated with shock and to maintain organ perfusion.

While managing pain and discomfort, preventing psychological trauma, and facilitating wound healing through debridement are important aspects of burn care, protecting against infection and ensuring fluid balance are foundational priorities that must be addressed first to stabilize the patient's condition and promote recovery.