Nurse Aide Practice Exam 2025 – 400 Free Practice Questions to Pass the Exam

The initial response to a burn is crucial for minimizing tissue damage and promoting healing. Wetting a towel or napkin with cool water and placing it on the burn is appropriate because it helps to lower the temperature of the affected area, which can reduce pain and damage to the skin. Cold water soothes the burn and can help to alleviate the inflammation caused by the heat.

Using cool, not icy, water is important as it prevents further injury to the tissue. Other methods, such as applying ice directly, may be too extreme and could lead to frostbite or additional damage. Covering the burn with a thick cloth might not provide the necessary cooling effect required at this stage and could trap heat against the skin, worsening the injury. While calling for emergency help could be necessary if the burn is severe, immediate first aid should focus on cooling the burn to minimize damage. Therefore, applying a cool, wet towel is the recommended approach for initial burn care.