A nurse in the emergency department is caring for a client who has a 30% burn injury to her lower extremities. Which of the following interventions should the nurse perform first?

Rationale: A. Pain control is important, but in the immediate emergency phase of a major burn, airway, breathing, and circulation take priority over comfort measures. B. A 30% total body surface area (TBSA) burn places the client at high risk for hypovolemic shock due to massive fluid shifts. Initiating IV fluid resuscitation (guided by the Parkland formula) is the priority intervention to maintain circulation and perfusion. C. Wound care is important but must be delayed until the patient is stabilized hemodynamically. D. A tetanus booster may be indicated with burn injuries, but it is not the first priority. Circulatory stabilization with fluids must occur first.