Burn Trauma Flashcards
Denature
Alter the usual substance of something
Basic types of burns
Thermal
Electrical
Chemical
Radiation
Zone of coagulation
Area in burn nearest the heat source that suffers the most damage and is characterized by clotted blood and thrombosed blood vessels
Layers of the skin
Epidermis (outermost layer)
Dermis (layer beneath the epidermis)
Subcutaneous tissue ( fatty layer beneath the dermis)
Zone of stasis
Area in a burn surrounding the zone of coagulation that is characterized by decreased blood flow
Zone of Hyperemia
Area peripheral to a burn that is characterized by increased blood flow
Effects of Heat according to Jackson’s Theory of Thermal Wounds
Zone of coagulation
Most damaged area nearest heat source; cell membranes rupture and are destroyed, blood coagulates, structural proteins denature
Effects of Heat according to Jackson’s Theory of Thermal Wounds
Zone of stasis
Adjacent to most damaged region; inflammation present, blood flow decreased
Effects of Heat according to Jackson’s Theory of Thermal Wounds
Zone of Hyperemia
Area farthest from heat source; limited inflammation and changes in blood flow
Emergent phase
1st stage of the burn process that is characterized by a catecholamine release and pain mediated reaction
Fluid shift phase
Stage of the burn process in which there is a massive shift of fluid from the intravascular to the extravascular space.
Intravascular space
The volume contained by all the arteries, veins, capillaries, and other components of the circulatory system
Hyper metabolic phase
Stage of the burn process in which there is increased body metabolism in an attempt by the body to heal the body to heal the burn
Resolution phase
Final stage of the burn process in which scar tissue is laid down and the healing process is completed
Ampere
Basic unit for measuring the strength of an electric current
Ohm’s law
The physical law identifying that the current in an electrical circuit is directly proportional to the voltage and inversely proportional to the resistance
Joule’s Law
The physical law stating that the rate of heat production is directly proportional to the resistance of the circuit and to the square of the current
Phases of the body’s response to burns
Emergent phase
Fluid shift phase
Hyper metabolic phase
Resolution phase
Processes of chemical burns
Acids
Usually form a thick, insoluble mass where they contact tissue through coagulation necrosis, limiting burn damage
Processes of chemical burns
Alkalis
Usually continue to destroy cell membranes through liquefaction necrosis, allowing them to penetrate underlying tissue and causing deeper burns
Coagulation necrosis
The process in which an acid, while destroying tissue, forms an insoluble layer that limits further damage
Liquefaction necrosis
The process in which an alkali dissolves and liquefies tissue
Ionization
The process of changing a substance into separate charged particles (ions)
Alpha Radiation
Low-Level form of nuclear radiation; a weak source of energy that is stopped by clothing or the first layers of skin.