Family Nurse Practitioner Exam

What treatment should be included for a patient with a history of burns presenting for a follow-up?

1. Immediate referral to a burn unit

2. Starting a steroid regimen

3. Regular cleaning and dressing of the wound

4. Administration of systemic antibiotics

The correct answer is: Administration of systemic antibiotics

In the context of a follow-up appointment for a patient with a history of burns, appropriate treatment for managing burn care includes regular cleaning and dressing of the wound. This approach is critical for promoting healing, preventing infection, and addressing any ongoing care needs related to the burn site. Regular cleaning helps to remove debris and exudate, which reduces the risk of infection and encourages optimal conditions for tissue regeneration. Dressing the wound appropriately protects it from external contaminants and moisture loss while allowing for gas exchange, which is essential for the healing process. Administration of systemic antibiotics may be considered in cases where there is evidence of infection or if the burn is particularly extensive and at high risk for developing infection. However, systemic antibiotics are not routinely indicated for all burn patients, especially if there are no signs of infection during the follow-up. While immediate referral to a burn unit or starting a steroid regimen might be warranted in specific scenarios, these options are not universally applicable for every follow-up case in burn management. The focus during a follow-up visit typically centers on wound care management to ensure proper healing and ongoing assessment for complications.