What is the primary treatment method for electrical burns?

The primary treatment method for electrical burns focuses on maintaining the airway. This is essential because electrical burns can lead to significant internal injuries, including potential cardiac arrhythmias and respiratory compromise, due to the disruption of the electrical pathways in the body. The patient may experience loss of consciousness or altered mental status, putting them at risk for airway obstruction. Ensuring that the airway is clear and providing respiratory support if needed is critical in the management of such injuries.

In contrast, administering intravenous fluids is indeed important for managing fluid loss in burn patients, particularly for large surface area burns, but it is secondary to ensuring the patient can breathe. Applying heat to the burn area is contraindicated as heat can worsen tissue damage and exacerbate pain. Immediate surgical intervention may be necessary for severe cases but is not the first step in the immediate management of an electrical burn, where airway management takes precedence. Thus, maintaining the airway is the most crucial initial action in this scenario.