What should be prioritized when managing a victim with chemical burns?

Prioritizing the removal of contaminated clothing is critical when managing a victim with chemical burns because this action helps to prevent further injury. Chemical agents can continue to harm the skin and underlying tissues as long as they remain in contact. Therefore, promptly removing clothing that has been contaminated by the chemical minimizes the risk of additional damage and allows for a more effective decontamination process.

This step is essential before any other interventions, as it addresses the source of the injury directly. After contaminated clothing is removed, thorough irrigation of the affected skin with water or saline should be performed to help dilute and wash away the chemical. Following these crucial initial steps, it is appropriate to cover the burns, assess vital signs, and consider pain management, but these actions are secondary to ensuring that no further exposure to the harmful substance occurs.