12] Burns Flashcards
Who is at risk for burns
Kids
Elderly
Young males with high risk jobs
Types of thermal contact
Flame
Hot liquid
Steam
Thermal-factors influencing severity
Contact time
Temperature
Type of insult
Wet heat from steamor fluid transfers
more heat to the body than a flame
Scald
Exposure to acids, bases, industrial accidents,
assaults
Chemical burns
Factors influencing severity of chemical burns
Contact time
Chemical concentration
Type of chemical
Due to direct damage to DNA
Radiation burn
Recurrent exposure tolow doses of radiation produce erythema, edema and severe induration
Radiation burns
Thermal injury to skin and effect of electrical current
Electrical burn
Electrical burn- dry skin increases risk of skin injury but decreases risk of
Internal injury
Factors influencing electrical burn
Contact time
Voltage
Risk increased by peripheral artery disease, Raynaud’s disease, DM, smoking, use of betablockers, ETOH
Frostbite burn
What areas are injured with frostbite
Nose
Ears
Fingers
Toes
Most severe injury ->irreversible cell injury
– May expand 48 hrs after burn
Zone of coagulation
Less severe injury ->reversible cell injury; sluggish blood flow
Zone of stasis
Inflamed area but expected to fully recover
within 7-10 daysof injury
Zone of hyperemia
4 depth categories of burns
1- superficial
2- superficial partial thickness
3- deep partial thickness
4- full thickness
damage to epidermis with
erythema, pain,
edema
Superficial burn
Ex] sunburn
Superficial burn