What should you avoid when caring for a patient with 3rd degree burns to their chest and abdomen?

When caring for a patient with third-degree burns, particularly on critical areas such as the chest and abdomen, it's essential to prioritize the patient's safety and avoid actions that could cause further harm. Continuing to cool the burn with ice packs for an extended period, such as 10 minutes, is inadvisable because while cooling can reduce pain and prevent the burn from worsening in the initial phase, applying ice can lead to additional tissue damage. Ice can cause constriction of blood vessels and worsen the injury by causing frostbite and further reducing blood flow to already compromised tissues.

Instead, cooling should be done with room temperature running water or moist dressings, but this should be limited to a short time frame to prevent hypothermia and additional tissue injury. The focus should be on stabilizing the patient, preventing shock, and preparing for advanced medical care without inducing further complications from improper cooling techniques.

In contrast, applying a sterile dressing, administering oxygen, and elevating the legs are appropriate actions in managing severe burns and supporting the patient’s condition.