Question

The ideal temperature of water to cool a burnt surface is

• A. \(15^{\circ}\text{C}\)
• B. \(10^{\circ}\text{C}\)
• C. \(8^{\circ}\text{C}\)
• D. \(6^{\circ}\text{C}\)

Hint:

Cool, not ice cold, water is used to treat a fresh burn.

Answer 1

The Correct Option is A

Step 1: Understanding the Question:
The question asks for the water temperature recommended for cooling a fresh burn wound as first aid.

Step 2: Key Concept:
Cooling a burn early reduces the depth of tissue damage by taking away extra heat trapped in the skin. The water used should be cool, not ice cold, because very cold water or ice can narrow blood vessels in the skin and can itself injure already damaged tissue, on top of causing hypothermia if used over a large body surface.

Step 3: Detailed Explanation:
Standard first aid teaching for burns recommends running the burnt area under cool water at about \(15^{\circ}\text{C}\) for around fifteen to twenty minutes. This temperature is cool enough to draw heat away from the tissue and ease pain, but not so cold that it adds the harm of ice cold water.
Water at \(10^{\circ}\text{C}\), \(8^{\circ}\text{C}\), or \(6^{\circ}\text{C}\) is colder than the recommended range. Using such cold water, especially over a large burn, risks vasoconstriction, worsened tissue injury, and a drop in core body temperature, so these are not the ideal choice.

Step 4: Final Answer:
The ideal temperature of water for cooling a burnt surface is \(15^{\circ}\text{C}\).