AHII Burns Flashcards
wet-to-damp saline moistened gauze
mechanically removes necrotic debris
continuous wet gauze
wound is continually bathed with a prescribed solution; promotes dilution of exudates and soften dry eschar
topical enzyme prep
provides proteolytic action on thick and adherent eschar’ this causes breakdown of the denatured protein and more rapid separation of necrotic tissue
moisture-retentive dressing
spontaneous separation of necrotic tissue is promoted by autolysis
alginate
provides homeostasis, debridement, absorption, and protection
can be used as packing for deep wounds and for infected wounds. Requires a secondary dressing for securing. Change when dressing is saturated (q3-5 days)
biological dressing
provides protection, and debridement after eschar removal. May be used for dormant or nonhealing wounds that do not respond to other topical therapies. May be used for burns or before pigskin and cadaver skin grafts. Conforms to uneven wound surfaces; reduces pain. Requires a secondary dressing for securing. Topical growth factors are changed daily
Cotton gauze
continuous dry dressing provides absorption and protection. Continuous wet dressing provides protection, a means for the delivery of topical treatment and debridement. Wet to damp dressing provides atraumatic mechanical debridement. May be painful on removal. change dressing if Clean base q12-24hr; change dressing with necrotic base q4-6hr
Foam dressing
provides absorption, protection, insulation, and debridement. Conforms to uneven wound surfaces. Requires secondary dressing for securing. When dressing is saturated, change it.
what is water heater temp setting?
no higher than 120 degrees F
hydrocolloidal dressing
provides absorption, protection, and debridement. Is waterproof and is painless on removal
partial thickness burn
will be wet
full thickness burn
will be dry
hydrogel
provides absorption, protection, and debridement. Conductive to use with topical agents. Conforms to uneven wound surfaces but allows only partial wound visualization. requires a secondary dressing for securing. can promote the growth of pseudomonas and other MO’s
adhesive transparent film
provides protection for partial-thickness lesions, debridement, and serves as a secondary dressing. Provides good wound visualization. Is waterproof and reduces pain. Use is limited to superficial lesions. Is nonabsorbent, adheres to normal and healing tissue.
What is important to remember with a chemical injury?
tissue destruction may continue for up to 72 hours after a chemical injury
actions to take in the ED for a client with a burn injury
- Assess airway
- administer oxygen as prescribed
- obtain VS
- start IV and begin fluid replacement (prevent hypovolemic shock)
- elevate extremities if no Fx are obvious (prevents hypovolemic shock)
- keep client warm and NPO
rule of 9’s for estimating burn percentage
Head: 9% (half anterior, half posterior) Body: 36% (half front, half back) Each Arm: 9% (half front, half back) Each leg: 18% (half front, half back) Perineum: 1% NOT RELIABLE FOR CHILDREN!!
superficial-thickness burn
blood supply is still intact; pink-red without blisters; skin blanches with pressure; burn is painful with tingling sensation-eased with cooling.
superficial partial thickness burn
blood supply is reduced; large blisters, edema; mottled pink to red base and broken epidermis, with a wet, shiny, and weeping surface is characteristic. Burn is painful and sensitive to cold air. Heals in 10-21 days
stridor, hoarse, raspy voice, carbonaceous sputum (face or neck injury)
Intubate early!! (orotracheal) in the next hour or two, swelling will increase and you will have to trach them if you don’t intubate early.
deep partial thickness burn
wound surface is red and dry with white areas in deeper parts. Blisters are not usually present bc the dead tissue layer is thick and sticks to underlying dermis. may or may not blanch and edema is moderate. Can convert to full thickeness burn if tissue damage increases with infection, hypoxia, or ischemia. heals within 3-6 WEEKS; skin graft may be needed
full-thickness burn
wound will not heal by reepithelialization and grafting may be required. Appears as a dry, hard, leathery eschar; scarring and wound contractures are likely to develop
deep full-thickness burn
muscle, bone, and tendons are damaged. Injured area appears black and sensation is completely absent. Eschar is dry and inelastic. There is no pain bc nerve endings have been destroyed.
smoke inhalation injury
AIRWAY is PRIORITY
facial burns, erythema, swelling of oropharynx and nasopharynx, singed nasal hairs, flaring nostrils, stridor, wheezing, and dyspnea. Hoarse voice, sooty (carbanaceous) sputum and cough, tachycardia, agitation, and anxiety
carbon monoxide poisoning
carbon monoxide is a colorless, odorless and tasteless gas that has an affinity for Hg 200 times greater than that of oxygen. Ocygen molecules are displaced and carbon monoxide binds irreversibly to Hb. Tissue hypoxia occurs.
Carbon monoxide blood levels:
1-10: normal
11-20: HA, flushing, decreased visual acuity, decreased LOC, slight breathlessness
21-40: (mod poisoning): HA, n/v, drowsiness tinnitus and vertigo, confusion and stupor, pale to reddish-purple skin, decreased blood pressure, increased and irregular HR
41-60: (severe): coma, seizures
61-80 (fatal): death