What might lead to increased edema in clients with chemical burns?

In clients with chemical burns, lowering burned limbs below the heart can lead to increased edema due to the gravitational pull on fluid accumulation. When a limb is positioned lower than the heart, it can hinder venous return, causing fluid to pool in the affected area. The body's inflammatory response to a burn injury can already result in an increase in capillary permeability, leading to fluid leakage into the surrounding tissues; positioning the limbs below the heart exacerbates this by making it more difficult for the body to effectively return that fluid to the circulatory system.

Other interventions like administering IV fluids typically aim to manage hydration and support circulation but do not contribute to edema in the same way. Topical antifungal medications and cold compresses are usually not relevant to the management of edema associated with chemical burns and do not influence fluid dynamics in the same manner.