The nurse teaches a client that the purpose of applying mafenide acetate cream (Sulfamylon) to burns is to:

Applying mafenide acetate cream, commonly known as Sulfamylon, to burns primarily serves to inhibit bacterial growth. This topical antibiotic is effective against a wide range of gram-positive and gram-negative bacteria, making it particularly useful in managing the risk of infection in burn wounds, which are more susceptible due to the compromised skin barrier.

The ability of mafenide acetate to penetrate eschar (the dead tissue over a burn) enhances its effectiveness in treating deep partial-thickness and full-thickness burns. By successfully preventing bacterial colonization, it helps reduce the risk of infection, thus promoting a better healing environment.

While pain relief and prevention of scar tissue formation are important in burn management, these are not the primary functions of mafenide acetate. For pain relief, other analgesic medications would typically be used, and the generation of scar tissue is influenced by various factors beyond the topical application of antibiotics. Chemical debridement refers to the removal of dead tissue or foreign material, which can be achieved through different methods, but is not a direct mechanism of action of mafenide acetate itself.