What is the typical sequence for decontaminating a patient exposed to chemical agents in the field?

• A. Remove contaminated clothing; limit secondary contamination; flush skin/eyes with water; perform decontamination with soap and water as appropriate; follow local protocols.
• B. Apply sunscreen and wait for natural cleanup.
• C. Immediately give antibiotics.
• D. Cover with a blanket and transport to hospital without decontamination.

Answer: (A)

In field decontamination of chemical exposure, the main goal is to remove the contaminant from the person and prevent spreading it to others or the environment as quickly as possible. The best sequence starts with removing contaminated clothing because clothing holds and transfers much of the chemical; taking it off first dramatically reduces the amount of agent on the skin and limits secondary contamination. After clothing is removed, take steps to prevent further spread—greenlighting the patient and responders to stay in a clean area and using barriers as needed helps protect others. Then flush the skin and eyes with copious water to rapidly rinse away the chemical from exposed surfaces. If needed, follow with soap and water to remove any residual contaminant, using local protocols for decontamination. The emphasis is on rapid removal, preventing secondary spread, and then thorough cleansing.

Options that involve sunscreen and waiting for natural cleanup won’t remove the chemical and can allow ongoing exposure. Giving antibiotics isn’t appropriate for chemical exposure, since antibiotics help with infections, not chemical contaminants. Covering the person with a blanket and transporting to hospital without any decontamination risks continuing exposure and spreading contamination.