Consider oral fluids for burns up to what percentage of TBSA if the casualty is conscious and able to swallow?

The correct answer is determined by guidelines that recommend administering oral fluids to burn victims based on the total body surface area (TBSA) affected by burns. If a casualty has burns covering up to 30% of their TBSA, and they are conscious and able to swallow, it is generally appropriate to consider oral fluid replacement. This is because smaller burns (up to 30% TBSA) may not result in significant enough resuscitation needs that would require intravenous fluid administration. Therefore, if the individual can safely take fluids orally, this method can be effective for managing hydration and preventing complications.

In cases where burns are more extensive, particularly beyond 30% TBSA, the risk of fluid loss exceeds what can be safely compensated through oral intake alone, making more aggressive resuscitation measures necessary. Hence, it’s critical to assess the percentage of TBSA involved to inform the appropriate choice for fluid resuscitation.