Burn Management - Prehospital and Emergent Flashcards
Phases of Burn Management (4)
- pre-hospital care
- emergent (resuscitative)
- acute (wound healing)
- rehabilitative (restorative)
Pre-hospital/Early Emergent Care: ABC (7)
- Stabilize the C-Spine! - if they have fallen, are unconscious, or were jolted
- provide oxygen and anticipate intubation especially with significant inhalation injury
- Stop the burning with cool sterile water
- Remove nonadherent clothing and wrap in dry dressings to prevent infection and heat loss
- Establish IV access x2 large bore if burn is greater than 15% to start
- Insert urinary catheter to monitor end organ perfusion and AKI if burn is greater than 15%
- Elevate burned limb above heart level to decreased edema
Emergent Phase
How long does it last?
Primary Concerns? (2)
the period of time required to resolve immediate, life-threatening problems resulting from the burn injury
lasts up to 72 hours from time of injury
1. onset of hypovolemic shock
2. formation of edema
Hypovolemic (burn) shock
At the moment of injury, capillary permeability is increased. all fluid components move into the interstitial spaces causing edema and decreased blood volume. water, sodium and protein leakage into the interstitial spaces. Hematocrit increases, viscosity increases, causes increased peripheral resistance. Inadequate tissue perfusion.
- second spacing - fluid accumulating in the interstitium
- third spacing - exudate blister formation. edema in non burned areas
Emergent Phase: Fluid and electrolyte shifts
- colloidal osmotic pressure decreases, resulting in more fluid shifting out of vascular space into the interstitial spaces
- second spacing
Signs of shock (3)
- low BP
- increased Resps
- increased HR
The net result of the fluid shift:
- intravascular volume depletion
- edema
- decreased BP
- increased HR
Alteration in Na, hematocrit, RBC, and Potassium
- RBC are hemolyzed and thrombosis in the apilaries cause an additional loss of RBCs. elecation of the hematocrit occurs due to intravascular fluid loss
Na+ will shift into intersitial spaces
Injured cells and hemolyzed RBC release potassium into circulation
Emergent Phase: Immune response is suppressed following burns causing widespread impairment of the immune system. Why? (5)
- because the skin barrier is destroyed
- bone marrow suppression occurs
- circulating levels of immune globulins decreased
- function of WBC becomes defective
- the inflammatory cascade triggered by tissue damage impairs the function of lymphocyes, monocytes, and neutrophils
SIGNIFICANT RISK OF INFECTION AND SEPSIS WITH EXTENSIVE BURNS
Emergent Phase: Clinical Manifestations (5)
- shock from pain and hypovolemia
- blisters
- adynamic ileus
- shivering
- altered mental status
Emergent Phase: focuses on complications of which three major organ systems?
- cardiovascular
- respiratory
- genitourinary
A TBSA of what percent affects all body systems?
> 25% TBSA burns
Cardiovascular
- dysrhythmias and hypovolemic shock which may progress to irreversible shock
- impaired circulation to extremities
- tissue ischemia
- necrosis
- impaired microcirculation and increased viscosity -> sludging
Respiratory - Upper Airway Injury
- Causes upper airway obstruction related to edema
- Burn eschar on neck and chest can become tight and constricting due to edema also making it difficult to breathe
- swelling can be massive and sudden in onset
- EARLY INTUBATION
Respiratory: Lower Airway Injury
- injury to trachea, brochioles, and alveoli caused by inhalation of toxic chemicals or smoke
- pneumonia and pulmonary edema are common in clients with pre-existing respiratory problems