Burns Flashcards
What is released immediately after a burn injury?
Catecholamines and other mediators
This release triggers various physiological responses.
What are the cardiovascular effects of a burn injury?
Increased BP and HR, vasoconstriction, disrupted blood flow
These changes can lead to further complications in burn patients.
What happens to capillary permeability after a burn injury?
Increased capillary permeability
This can lead to fluid leakage and edema.
What are the potential consequences of increased capillary permeability?
Edema, third spacing, hypovolemia, massive fluid shifts (SIRS)
These conditions can severely impact the patient’s hemodynamics.
How does a burn injury affect perfusion to the gastrointestinal system?
Decreased perfusion to GI system
This can result in complications such as paralytic ileus.
What complications may arise due to decreased perfusion to the GI system?
Paralytic ileus, abdominal distension, Curling’s ulcer
These complications can lead to further patient morbidity.
What substances are released from damaged cells during a burn injury?
Myoglobin and potassium (K)
These substances can lead to complications such as renal failure.
What are the signs that suggest smoke/inhalation injuries?
Signs include:
* Burns of the head, neck, or chest
* Burns in an enclosed space
* Facial burns and singed hair
* Black carbon particles in the nose, mouth, and sputum
* Change in respiratory pattern
* Drooling or difficulty swallowing
* Hoarseness, cough, wheezes, and stridor
These signs indicate potential inhalation injuries that require immediate attention.
What should be suspected in any burn of the head, neck, chest, or in an enclosed space?
Smoke/inhalation injuries
Burns in these areas or settings significantly increase the risk of inhalation injuries.
What is a common respiratory sign of smoke/inhalation injury?
Hoarseness
Hoarseness can indicate airway irritation or injury.
What are the potential complications of lower airway injury from chemical exposure?
Complications include:
* Pulmonary edema
* Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome (ARDS)
These conditions can severely affect respiratory function and require urgent intervention.
What is an important position for a patient with suspected smoke/inhalation injury?
Place the patient upright
This position helps facilitate breathing and airway management.
What should be administered to a patient with smoke/inhalation injury?
Oxygen (O2)
Providing oxygen is crucial for patients with respiratory distress.
What type of assessments should be performed frequently on a patient with smoke/inhalation injury?
Respiratory assessments
Continuous monitoring is essential to detect any changes in the patient’s condition.
Fill in the blank: Black carbon particles in the _______ can indicate smoke/inhalation injury.
nose, mouth, and sputum
The presence of black carbon particles is a strong indicator of exposure to smoke.
True or False: Difficulty swallowing is a potential sign of smoke/inhalation injury.
True
Difficulty swallowing can indicate airway compromise or swelling.
What are the common causes of thermal burns?
Flame, flash, scald, hot object contact
Thermal burns can result from direct exposure to high temperatures.
What respiratory complications can arise from thermal burns?
Edema, pulmonary embolism, pulmonary complications
These complications can significantly affect breathing and oxygenation.
What indicates a facial burn in thermal burn patients?
Singed eyebrows or nasal hairs
These signs suggest exposure to heat or flames.
What are the causes of chemical burns?
Acids, alkaline substances, organic compounds
Chemical burns can be particularly dangerous due to systemic absorption.
What is a significant risk associated with electrical burns?
Extensive damage below the skin (iceberg effect)
Most of the injury is not visible externally.
What should be done immediately for a patient with an electrical burn?
Need EKG/cardiac monitoring ASAP
Cardiac complications are a major concern following electrical burns.
What are the signs and symptoms of smoke inhalation?
Burns to upper regions, singed nose hair, carbonaceous sputum, cough, wheeze, stridor, drooling, difficulty swallowing
These symptoms indicate potential airway compromise.
What is a key sign of carbon monoxide poisoning?
Cherry red skin, headache, nausea/vomiting, unconsciousness or change in level of consciousness
These symptoms occur due to displacement of oxygen by carbon monoxide.
What is the Parkland Formula used for?
Calculating fluid replacement for burn patients
The formula is 4 mL x BSA x Body weight (kg).
What is the priority treatment for carbon monoxide poisoning?
Give 100% oxygen to push the CO out
Oxygen therapy is critical despite misleading pulse oximeter readings.
Fill in the blank: The treatment for chemical burns includes _______.
Removing all clothing, water lavage, and removing dry chemical powders with a dry brush
Proper decontamination is essential to minimize tissue damage.
True or False: Pulse oximetry is reliable in detecting carbon monoxide levels.
False
Pulse oximeters can give falsely high readings in the presence of carbon monoxide.
What is carboxyhemoglobenemia?
The presence of carbon monoxide bound to hemoglobin
This condition results from carbon monoxide poisoning.
What are the signs of inadequate oxygen supply to the brain?
Headache, increased intracranial pressure
These symptoms can arise from hypoxia.
