During first aid, which action sequence is recommended for a burn victim who is in shock?

• A. Treat for physical shock before wounds
• B. Treat wounds first, ignore shock
• C. Skip shock treatment
• D. Call a supervisor before action

Answer: (A)

When a burn victim is in shock, the immediate danger is that not enough blood is reaching vital organs. Stabilizing circulation takes priority because improving perfusion helps prevent organ failure and buys time to properly treat the burns. The best sequence is to address the shock first: call for help, ensure an open airway and breathing, place the person flat on their back, and, if there’s no spinal injury or leg burns, elevate the legs to help blood return to the heart, while keeping them warm and monitoring their condition. After shock is being managed, you can attend to the burns themselves (protecting the burned area and providing appropriate care). Delaying shock treatment or waiting for someone else can allow the situation to worsen, and ignoring shock is unsafe in an emergency.