Burns

A burn may be a small, painful superficial wound—or the first sign of airway loss, hidden deep-tissue injury, and circulatory collapse. An apparently small electrical mark can conceal extensive damage; a facial burn after an enclosed-space fire can progress to airway obstruction; a large deep burn can cause shock through capillary fluid loss. The experienced nurse sorts risk by mechanism, depth, TBSA, location, and physiologic response, not by redness alone. The RPN's priorities are to stop the burning process, perform an ABCDE assessment, provide immediate first aid within provincial scope and local policy, reassess response, and escalate before airway or perfusion deteriorates.