Burns Flashcards
What are the causes of burn injuries?
Heat (hot objects, gases and flames) Chemicals Electricity Lightening Friction Radiation
What are the populations that are most at risk of burn death?
Ages 0-4
Ages >65
Rural populations
Populations with poor socio-economic statuses
What are the populations experiencing most burns?
Ages 0-4
Ages 20-24 and gradually decreases
The majority of burn injuries are minor injuries
What are the different types of burns?
Scalds: most common cause in under 5 year old
Flames: most common cause in older age groups
Electric
Much less common causes: contact and chemicals
What are the measures used to classify burns?
Degree (first degree, second degree, third degree, fourth degree)
Thickness-Superficial, Partial thickness (1st/2nd degree), Full thickness (third degree)
Percentage-total body surface area
What type of injury is hot water most likely to cause?
Partial thickness wounds
What type of injury are flames most likely to cause?
Full thickness burns
Describe Superficial-First degree burns.
Most cases of sunburn Epidermis only Erythematous and very painful Does not blister Peels off in 3-4 days and replaces by healed skin
Into which two categories are partial thickness-second degree burns divided into?
Superficial partial thickness
Deep partial thickness
Describe superficial partial thickness burns.
Extends into papillary dermis Blistering Wet, pink, hypersensitive to touch Very painful Blanches with pressure Usually heals within three weeks without scarring
Describe deep partial thickness burns.
Extends into the reticular dermis
Mottled pink and white
May have small areas of hemorrhage
Discomfort and pressure, rather than pain
Blanches with pressure, but slow capillary refill
Takes longer to heal, often causes scarring
Describe full thickness-third degree burns.
Extends through the entire dermis and into subcutaneous tissue Charred or leathery No pain Does not blanch Will not heal
Describe fourth degree burns.
Seldom seen in non-fatal injuries
Involvement of deeper structures=extends through the fascia
High voltage electrical injuries may have significant deep injuries that are not initially apparent
Describe partial thickness burns:
First or second degree burn which is red and painful and often with blisters
Describe full thickness burns:
Third degree burns which is charred, insensitive, deep and involving all layers of the skin
Describe mild burns according to the percentage of burn.
Partial thickness burns, <15% in adults or <10% in children
Full thickness burns less than 2%
Can be treated on an outpatient basis
Describe moderate burns according to the percentage of burn.
Second degree 15-25% burns, 10-20% in children
Third degree between 2-10%
Burns which are not involving the eyes, ears, face, hands and perineum
Describe severe burns according to the percentage of burn.
Second degree burns >25% in adults, children >20%
All third degree >10%
Burns involving eyes, ears, feet, hands and perineum
All inhalation and electrical burns
Burns with fractures or major mechanical trauma
List the burn management multidisciplinary team
Surgeons Intensive care OT and physio Dietician and speech therapists Social workers and play therapists Psychologists
What are the steps to the pathway to burn recovery?
Emergent Acute Psychosocial support-caregiver group Education/health promotion Theatre/Ward Rehabilitation Prevention of contractures Scar management Itch management Sun protection Return to school Psychological support and functional rehabilitation Functional and cosmetic reconstruction
What does TBSA stand for?
Total Body Surface Area