burns

Question 1

burns treatment

Answer 1

Administer oxygen if the patient has suspected carbon monoxide poisoning as a result of clinically significant smoke inhalation. See the ‘poisoning from gases’ section for more information.
* Cool the burn for at least 20 minutes:
a) This should be at the scene unless there is an immediately life-threatening problem in the primary survey.
b) Remove all clothing (leaving underwear on) and decontaminate the patient if the burns are due to chemical exposure.
* Irrigate chemical burns to the eye for at least 30 minutes.
* Estimate burn depth and size after cooling.
* Cover burns with cling film after cooling.
* Gain IV access.
* Administer 0.9% sodium chloride IV if the patient has signs of hypovolaemia, poor perfusion, or the burn area is greater than 20%:
a) 1 litre for an adult.
b) 20 ml/kg for a child.
c) Administer further 0.9% sodium chloride if transport time is greater than
one hour, or if required for poor perfusion.
* Administer nebulised bronchodilators (using the ‘asthma’ section) if bronchospasm is prominent.
* Administer nebulised adrenaline (using the ‘stridor’ section) if stridor is present.

Question 2

superficial burns characteristics

Answer 2

Superficial burns do not have blisters and are red and painful like sunburn.

Question 3

partial thickness burns

Answer 3

Partial thickness burns have blisters, weep fluid and are painful.

Question 3

full thickness burns

Answer 3

Full thickness burns are charred, white, leathery and usually painless.

Question 4

estimating burns tips

Answer 4

ū Do not include superficial burns in the estimate of burn size.
ū The preferred method of estimating burn size is to use a piece of paper the same size as the patient’s hand (including their fingers). This represents 1%
of body size.
ū It is very easy to overestimate burn size