37.7. The victim has blisters on the skin as a result of a burn. What actions are correct?
UAУ постраждалого внаслідок опіку на шкірі утворилися пухирі. Які дії є правильними?
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This is an exam question from the block on road safety and first aid: after a traffic accident, the driver may be the first person next to the victim and must act in a way that does not worsen the victim's condition. In the context of the Traffic Rules of Ukraine, this is not "medical theory for the sake of theory," but a practical skill that reduces the risk of complications before the arrival of medical professionals and is directly related to responsible behavior by road users.
The question tests knowledge of Section 2 of the Traffic Rules, in particular point 2.10 "Duties and rights of drivers" (the duty to take possible measures to provide first aid and call an ambulance). It is also logically connected with the definition of a "road traffic accident" from point 1.10, since it is precisely in the event of an accident that there arises a legal and practical obligation to act correctly. In the theoretical exam, it is important to understand: blisters from burns are a natural protection for the wound surface, so the main goal of first aid is to protect the affected area with a clean dressing and secure it carefully, without additional pressure.
The analysis of the options in this exam question is straightforward: covering the burn with a clean dressing without pressure is correct, as it reduces the risk of infection and does not injure the blister. Piercing blisters is dangerous because it opens the wound to microbes, increases pain, and may prolong healing. A tight bandage is also incorrect, as it puts pressure on the blisters, increases the likelihood of their rupture, and further damages the tissue, which contradicts the basic principle of first aid in the traffic rules — do no harm.
Clause 2.10 (Section 2 "Duties and Rights of Drivers" — duties of the driver in case of involvement in a traffic accident)
In case of involvement in a road traffic accident, the driver is obliged: "... to take possible measures to provide pre-medical assistance to the victims, call an ambulance...".
This clause checks the very obligation of the driver to provide pre-medical assistance to the victim within the limits of possibility. The exam question specifies what the correct pre-medical action should be in the case of a burn with blisters: do not damage them and protect the affected area with a clean dressing, securing it without additional pressure.
Clause 1.10 (the term "Road Traffic Accident")
"A road traffic accident is an event that occurred during the movement of a vehicle, as a result of which people were killed or injured, or material damage was caused."
This definition links the situation to the traffic accident regime, within which the driver has obligations provided for in clause 2.10 of the Traffic Rules (in particular — to take measures to provide pre-medical assistance to the victims).
Thus, the correct answer is "Apply a clean dressing to the burn site. Carefully secure it without creating additional pressure.", given that according to the definition of the Traffic Rules, in the event of a traffic accident, the driver is obliged to take possible measures to provide pre-medical assistance, and in the case of a burn with blisters, the safe action is to cover the burn site with a clean dressing and secure it without pressure, so as not to damage the blisters and not to increase the risk of infection.
When blisters appear on the skin after a burn, this means that deeper layers of the skin are damaged, and the blister itself actually serves as a natural “covering” for the wound. It protects the injured surface from dirt and microorganisms and partially reduces the risk of infection.
In this situation, the main goal of first aid according to road safety and pre-medical care rules is not to worsen the victim's condition. If you press on the blister, puncture it, or peel off the skin, you expose the wound surface. This increases the likelihood of infection, can prolong healing, and also intensify pain.
Therefore, the correct tactic is to cover the burn area with a clean dressing (sterile if possible) to isolate the injury from the external environment. The dressing should be applied carefully: do not tighten, do not press on the blister, and do not create additional pressure, so as not to damage it or cause it to burst.
Thus, the correct answer is "Apply a clean dressing to the burn area. Secure it gently without creating additional pressure," since this preserves the integrity of the blister as natural protection, reduces the risk of infection, and does not worsen the victim's condition.