Burns Flashcards
(45 cards)
Why are burns often deeper in children?
Skin is not so thick
What is the most common burn in children?
Thermal (upper body in infant, hot noodles/soup common in older children)
How should chemical burns be treated?
Neutralise then dressings
What additional risks are involved with electrical burns?
Cardiac arrhythmias in first 24hrs (especially if existing cardiac issues)
Compartment syndrome (check circulation in few days)
What should be involved in electrical burn Ax?
Look for entry/exit points (deep burns in bone etc)
Cardiac monitoring for first 24/24
After a fire in an enclosed area, what level of O2 should a patient be on?
Up to 8L/min
Why are petroleum burns more complex? (3)
Mixed depth
Chemical and thermal
Increased risk of infection
What indicates an oil burn?
Splatter pattern
Often deep as oil clings to skin
Why are burns from man-made fibres, such as clothing or furniture, more complex?
- Melts onto patient
- Items may fall on patient
- Toxic fumes
- Risk of inhalation burns
What are combination above/below larynx burns more common in?
House fires
How are inhalation burns classified and when will signs present?
By irritants
4-24 hrs
When is the risk of respiratory obstruction greatest after a house fire?
12-36hrs post burn (time of greatest swelling)
S/S of inhalation burn above larynx
Stridor Hoarseness/weak voice Brassy cough Restlessness Respiratory difficulty/obstruction
How should inhalation burns above the larynx be managed?
- Early intubation if concerned
- Respiratory techniques to aid sputum clearance (mucosa comes off)
- huff/bubble PEP for difficulty coughing
S/S of below larynx inhalation burn (immediate -2; gradual - 4)
Immediate
- Restlessness
- Severe anoxia
Gradual
- Hypoxia
- Pul oedema
- ARDS
- Resp failure
Rx for below larynx inhalation burn
- Supportive ventilation, esp kids, until lung damage repairs
- Humidified 8L O2/min
- Chest PT not that helpful usually… maybe sputum clearance
Results of systemic intoxication of inhaled chemicals (CO, hydrogen cyanide)
Hypoxic brain damage (CO)
Inhibition of cellular oxygenation + Lactic acidosis (cyanide)
S/S of high CO (7)
Forehead tightness Dilation of cutaneous blood vessels Headache Vomiting Dim vision Convulsions Coma
What levels of CO are problematic?
60% is toxic
30% is fatal (will already have been 60% initially)
Rx for CO toxicity
100% O2 ASAP
dependent on O2 availability/CO half-life
S/S of HC toxicity (4)
Lethargy
Nausea
Weakness
Coma (mimic acute MI)
HC toxicity levels
Begins at 0.1
Death likely at 1 microgram/mL
Superficial (epidermal) burn description
Red, painful, no blisters
Sensation present
Good capillary refill
Superficial (epidermal) burn Rx
Full ROM as pain allows
Usually no hospitalisation
